Niger: Ruling Party Takes Early Lead in National Assembly

UNCLAS NIAMEY 000832 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: Ruling Party Takes Early Lead in National Assembly Elections Ref: Niamey 00830 ¶1. On October 23, the President of the Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI) announced that early results show the ruling party, National Movement for a Society of Development (MNSD), had taken a lead in the October 20 National Assembly elections (reftel). The MNSD provisionally has won 47 out of 62 seats. CENI estimated an 18 to 70 percent voting turn-out, varying by region. ¶2. The CENI president claimed there were no ambiguities with regard to the election results. He stated that MNSD is primed to fare well in the vote. According to media sources, MNSD will gain between 70-80 of the 113 seats. The situation for smaller parties and independent candidates, however, is not positive. Early results show that independents have only won two seats. Various smaller parties as well as independent candidates complained about purported illegal practices by larger parties, such as the distribution of money and other gifts, ballot box stuffing, as well as transportation of voters. Complete election tallies are expected to be released in the coming days. ALLEN