30 September, 2009
Niger Opposition Urges Election Boycott
NIAMEY, Niger
Niger’s main opposition party has urged its supporters to stay away from ongoing campaigns ahead of upcoming parliamentary elections due on October 20.
Bazoum Mohammed, Vice President of the Nigerien Party for Democracy and Socialism (PNDS) said participating in the election would legitimize President Mamadou Tandja’s illegal rule.
According to Niger’s constitution, President Tandja was expected to step down in December after a decade in power, but won the right to remain in power till 2012 through a controversial constitutional referendum. [GR]