Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09NIAMEY57
2009-02-03 16:33:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Niamey
Cable title:
NIGER: Voter Registration Update
how-toVZCZCXRO1941 RR RUEHMA RUEHPA DE RUEHNM #0057 0341633 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 031633Z FEB 09 FM AMEMBASSY NIAMEY TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 4827 INFO RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS 0775 RUEHLMC/MCC WASHDC RHMFISS/HQ USAFRICOM STUTTGART GE
UNCLAS NIAMEY 000057
STATE FOR AF/W (DENNISON),DRL/AF (DEARBORN)
PARIS FOR AF WATCHER
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL KDEM SOCI NG
SUBJECT: NIGER: Voter Registration Update
UNCLAS NIAMEY 000057
STATE FOR AF/W (DENNISON),DRL/AF (DEARBORN)
PARIS FOR AF WATCHER
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL KDEM SOCI NG
SUBJECT: NIGER: Voter Registration Update
1. On January 21, amid civil society concerns, the president of the
National Commission to Pilot the Revision of the Voter Register
(known by its French acronym CNPRFE) briefed the National Council
for Political Dialogue (CNDP) made up of all political parties on
the progress made in the preparation of the new voter register.
Political party representatives expressed some concerns regarding
the CNPRFE's lack of resources, the delay observed in the voter
register's completion and posting of lists. They further urged for
the installation of the Independent National Electoral Commission
(CENI) even before the completion of the CNPRFE's work.
2. The CNPRFE President stated that his team had already processed
the results of the voter registration for four of the most populated
regions (Dosso, Tahoua, Tillabery, and Maradi) and was completing
final work on the other regions. Government of Niger (GON) Prime
Minister Seyni Oumarou, who chaired the CNDP meeting, assured that
all steps are being taken to ensure that all concerns are addressed.
In a previous statement, the Prime Minister said that "the
government has inscribed 15 billion CFA [$ 30 million] for the
organization of elections which we understand will take place within
the legal deadlines."
3. On January 29, GON Minister of Interior, Public Security and
Decentralization Albade Adouba visited the CNPRFE offices to inquire
about the councils' working conditions and the progress of its work,
and to encourage the team in its efforts. The minister indicated his
visit was not intended as government interference, that it was mere
monitoring of the state of affairs that fall within the Ministry of
Interior's purview. He emphasized that the GON wants to assert its
sovereignty by covering all the costs relating to voter registration
and elections. He stated that Niger is an exception in the region
where one finds that the voter registration and electoral
commissions are independent.
ALLEN
STATE FOR AF/W (DENNISON),DRL/AF (DEARBORN)
PARIS FOR AF WATCHER
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL KDEM SOCI NG
SUBJECT: NIGER: Voter Registration Update
1. On January 21, amid civil society concerns, the president of the
National Commission to Pilot the Revision of the Voter Register
(known by its French acronym CNPRFE) briefed the National Council
for Political Dialogue (CNDP) made up of all political parties on
the progress made in the preparation of the new voter register.
Political party representatives expressed some concerns regarding
the CNPRFE's lack of resources, the delay observed in the voter
register's completion and posting of lists. They further urged for
the installation of the Independent National Electoral Commission
(CENI) even before the completion of the CNPRFE's work.
2. The CNPRFE President stated that his team had already processed
the results of the voter registration for four of the most populated
regions (Dosso, Tahoua, Tillabery, and Maradi) and was completing
final work on the other regions. Government of Niger (GON) Prime
Minister Seyni Oumarou, who chaired the CNDP meeting, assured that
all steps are being taken to ensure that all concerns are addressed.
In a previous statement, the Prime Minister said that "the
government has inscribed 15 billion CFA [$ 30 million] for the
organization of elections which we understand will take place within
the legal deadlines."
3. On January 29, GON Minister of Interior, Public Security and
Decentralization Albade Adouba visited the CNPRFE offices to inquire
about the councils' working conditions and the progress of its work,
and to encourage the team in its efforts. The minister indicated his
visit was not intended as government interference, that it was mere
monitoring of the state of affairs that fall within the Ministry of
Interior's purview. He emphasized that the GON wants to assert its
sovereignty by covering all the costs relating to voter registration
and elections. He stated that Niger is an exception in the region
where one finds that the voter registration and electoral
commissions are independent.
ALLEN