Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09NIAMEY830
2009-10-21 20:38:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Niamey
Cable title:
Niger: Legislative Election Calm, Turnout Low
how-toVZCZCXRO6432 RR RUEHMA RUEHPA DE RUEHNM #0830 2942038 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 212038Z OCT 09 FM AMEMBASSY NIAMEY TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 5398 INFO RUEHDS/AMEMBASSY ADDIS ABABA 1679 RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE RHMFISS/HQ USAFRICOM STUTTGART GE RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC RHEFDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC RUEHLMC/MCC WASHDC
UNCLAS NIAMEY 000830
DEPT FOR AF/W AND AF/RSA
PLS PASS TO USAID FOR AFR/W
ACCRA ALSO FOR USAID/WA
ADDIS ABABA FOR USAU - J MAYBURY
PARIS FOR AFRICA WATCHER
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV KDEM SOCI PHUM NG
SUBJECT: Niger: Legislative Election Calm, Turnout Low
Ref: Niamey 00582
UNCLAS NIAMEY 000830
DEPT FOR AF/W AND AF/RSA
PLS PASS TO USAID FOR AFR/W
ACCRA ALSO FOR USAID/WA
ADDIS ABABA FOR USAU - J MAYBURY
PARIS FOR AFRICA WATCHER
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV KDEM SOCI PHUM NG
SUBJECT: Niger: Legislative Election Calm, Turnout Low
Ref: Niamey 00582
1. On October 20, some six million Nigerians were called to a vote
for deputies to serve in a newly constituted National Assembly.
This came one day after security forces voted, allowing the police,
gendarmerie, and military to provide security for the general public
during balloting. The vote took place in a generally calm and
peaceful atmosphere. The Independent National Electoral Commission
(CENI) has started tabulating votes from the 113 constituencies, but
results will not be available for another "three or four days."
2. President Tandja kicked off legislative elections by casting his
ballot in Niamey. He remarked that "voting is the civic duty of all
Nigeriens...I wish this will be a great day for Niger, that the
voting will take place in the best conditions and that the elected
deputies will be true patriots." According to CENI, 6,089,725
registered voters were to select 113 deputies from among 800
candidates. There were 19,331 polling stations nationwide. Le
Sahel, the government-run newspaper, reported that the "people voted
in massive numbers." Embassy sources, however, noted that polling
stations in Niamey were mainly empty, as most citizens chose to
remain at home for the national holiday.
3. The opposition held true to its previous declarations, largely
boycotting the election. A handful of opposition party individuals
ran as independents, however. Some opposition members claimed that
the voter turnout was lower than that of the August 4 referendum,
wherein the GON claimed at least 68 percent of registered voters
cast ballots, and the opposition maintained that perhaps as low as 5
percent voted (reftel).
4. Post will provide election results and comments via septel.
Allen
DEPT FOR AF/W AND AF/RSA
PLS PASS TO USAID FOR AFR/W
ACCRA ALSO FOR USAID/WA
ADDIS ABABA FOR USAU - J MAYBURY
PARIS FOR AFRICA WATCHER
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV KDEM SOCI PHUM NG
SUBJECT: Niger: Legislative Election Calm, Turnout Low
Ref: Niamey 00582
1. On October 20, some six million Nigerians were called to a vote
for deputies to serve in a newly constituted National Assembly.
This came one day after security forces voted, allowing the police,
gendarmerie, and military to provide security for the general public
during balloting. The vote took place in a generally calm and
peaceful atmosphere. The Independent National Electoral Commission
(CENI) has started tabulating votes from the 113 constituencies, but
results will not be available for another "three or four days."
2. President Tandja kicked off legislative elections by casting his
ballot in Niamey. He remarked that "voting is the civic duty of all
Nigeriens...I wish this will be a great day for Niger, that the
voting will take place in the best conditions and that the elected
deputies will be true patriots." According to CENI, 6,089,725
registered voters were to select 113 deputies from among 800
candidates. There were 19,331 polling stations nationwide. Le
Sahel, the government-run newspaper, reported that the "people voted
in massive numbers." Embassy sources, however, noted that polling
stations in Niamey were mainly empty, as most citizens chose to
remain at home for the national holiday.
3. The opposition held true to its previous declarations, largely
boycotting the election. A handful of opposition party individuals
ran as independents, however. Some opposition members claimed that
the voter turnout was lower than that of the August 4 referendum,
wherein the GON claimed at least 68 percent of registered voters
cast ballots, and the opposition maintained that perhaps as low as 5
percent voted (reftel).
4. Post will provide election results and comments via septel.
Allen