Hubbry Logo
2016 Nigerien general election2016 Nigerien general electionMain
Open search
2016 Nigerien general election
Community hub
2016 Nigerien general election
logo
8 pages, 0 posts
0 subscribers
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Be the first to start a discussion here.
2016 Nigerien general election
2016 Nigerien general election
2016 Nigerien general election
View on Wikipedia
from Wikipedia

2016 Nigerien general election
← 2011
2020–21 →
Presidential election
21 February 2016 (first round)
20 March 2016 (second round)
Turnout66.82% (first round)
59.81% (second round)
 
Nominee Mahamadou Issoufou Hama Amadou
Party PNDS MODEN/FA
Popular vote 4,105,499 333,143
Percentage 92.49% 7.51%
President before election

Mahamadou Issoufou
PNDS

Elected President

Mahamadou Issoufou
PNDS

Legislative election
← 2011
2020–21 →
All 171 seats in the National Assembly
86 seats needed for a majority
Turnout66.40% (Increase 17.18pp)
Party Leader Vote % Seats +/–
PNDS Brigi Rafini 35.72 75 +41
MODEN/FA Hama Amadou 12.91 25 +2
MNSD Seyni Oumarou 10.24 20 −5
MPR-Jamhuriya Albadé Abouba 7.20 13 New
MNRD–PSDN Issaka Labo 4.16 6 +6
MPN Ibrahim Yacouba 3.19 5 New
AMEN-AMIN Oumarou Hamidou Tchiana 3.00 3 New
ANDP-Zaman Lahiya Moussa Hassane Barazé 2.96 4 −4
RSD-Gaskiya Amadou Cheiffou 2.90 4 +4
CPR-Inganci Kassoum Moctar 2.57 3 New
CDS-Rahama Abdou Labo 2.40 3 0
RDP-Jama'a Hamid Algabid 2.37 3 −4
UDR-Tabbat Amadou Cissé 2.21 2 −4
ADN-Fusaha Habi Mahamadou Salissou 1.58 1 New
ARD Adaltchi-Mutuntchi Laouan Magagi 1.47 2 +2
PSD-Bassira Mohamed Ben Omar 0.91 2 New
This lists parties that won seats. See the complete results below.
Results by constituency
Prime Minister before Prime Minister after
Brigi Rafini
PNDS		 Brigi Rafini
PNDS
Politics of Niger
Constitution
Government
National Assembly (dissolved)
Judiciary
Administrative divisions
Elections
Foreign relations

General elections were held in Niger on 21 February 2016,[1] with a presidential run-off held on 20 March.[2] A total of 15 candidates ran for the presidency, with incumbent President Mahamadou Issoufou running for re-election for a second term.[3] There were two main opposition candidates also vying for the top post, Seyni Oumarou of the National Movement for the Society of Development (MNSD), who lost to Issoufou in 2011, and Hama Amadou of MODEN/FA, who has been campaigning from prison since November 2015.[4] Most of the opposition agreed to align for the second round to back the second-placed candidate against Issoufou.[5]

Niger faced a string of attacks by various insurgents, most notably Boko Haram in the preceding months, and security and poverty alleviation were central to most candidates' campaigns.[5] Various observers predicted minor violence from the opposition who accused the president of rigging the elections.

Issoufou placed first in the first round, but fell just short of an outright majority, necessitating a second round vote in which he faced Hama Amadou. The opposition boycotted the second round, and Issoufou was re-elected with an overwhelming majority (92.49%).

Electoral system

[edit]

The President of Niger was elected using the two-round system.[6]

The 171 members of the National Assembly were elected by two methods; 158 members were elected from eight multi-member constituencies based on the seven regions and Niamey by party-list proportional representation. Additionally, eight seats are reserved for national minorities and five seats (one per continent) for Nigeriens living abroad, all elected in single-member constituencies by first-past-the-post voting.[7]

Presidential candidates

[edit]

On 9 January 2016, it was announced that the Constitutional Court had cleared 15 candidates to run. All of the major candidates were approved, including Hama Amadou, who was still in jail over charges that he alleged were politically motivated, and Abdou Labo, who was not imprisoned but was also facing charges related to the baby-trafficking investigation. One minor candidate, Abdoul-Karim Bakasso, was barred from running on the grounds that he had not submitted a medical certificate.[14]

An appeals court refused Amadou's request to be released on 11 January.[15] Speaking through his lawyer, Amadou said afterward that he was a political prisoner and would not pursue any further appeal.[16]

Results

[edit]

President

[edit]

Provisional results released on 26 February 2016 showed President Issoufou with about 48% of the vote, falling just short of a first round majority. Imprisoned opposition leader Hama Amadou placed second with 17.8% of the vote. With no candidate winning an outright majority, a second round was planned to be held on 20 March 2016. Although Amadou received a much smaller percentage of the first round vote, most of the other major opposition candidates were expected to support him in the second round.[17]

Speaking on behalf of COPA 2016, the opposition coalition supporting Amadou, Seyni Oumarou (who placed third and backed Amadou for the second round), announced on 8 March that the coalition was boycotting the vote and withdrawing its representatives from the electoral commission. Hassoumi Massaoudou, the Minister of the Interior, said in response that the second round vote would be held regardless of whether the opposition participated. Noting that some of the first round candidates had backed Issoufou, Massaoudou argued that the opposition "withdrew to avoid being beaten".[18] Nevertheless, Amadou's lawyer said on 11 March that he would still be a candidate.[19]

Subsequent events were dominated by Amadou's health problems. After a medical crisis in which he was said to have briefly lost consciousness, he was moved from the prison in Filingue to Niamey; he was then taken to Paris for treatment on 16 March.[20] COPA again called for a boycott on 18 March.[21]

The second round was held on 20 March 2016 amidst an opposition boycott. Given the boycott, results announced on 22 March showed an unsurprisingly large victory for President Issoufou, who was credited with 92.5% of the vote. Turnout was placed at 60%. Meanwhile, on 22 March COPA denounced the election as fraudulent and rejected the results, saying that Niger would "have no legitimate president" after Issoufou's first term ended.[22]

CandidatePartyFirst roundSecond round
Votes%Votes%
Mahamadou IssoufouNigerien Party for Democracy and Socialism2,252,01648.434,102,36392.51
Hama AmadouNigerien Democratic Movement for an African Federation824,50017.73332,2927.49
Seyni OumarouNational Movement for the Society of Development563,61312.12
Mahamane OusmaneNigerien Movement for Democratic Renewal290,6886.25
Ibrahim YacoubaNigerien Patriotic Movement201,9824.34
Kassoum MoctarCongress for the Republic135,1762.91
Abdou LaboDemocratic and Social Convention97,3822.09
Amadou CheiffouSocial Democratic Rally82,9651.78
Amadou CisséUnion for Democracy and the Republic69,1151.49
Laouan MagagiAlliance for Democratic Renewal44,6850.96
Adal RhoubeidDemocratic Movement for Renewal27,3500.59
Abdoulaye Amadou TraoréParty of Progress for a United Niger18,6810.40
Tahirou GuimbaDemocratic Movement for Development and the Defence of Liberties18,3350.39
Mahaman Jean Philipe PadonouConvergence for Democracy and Progress16,5080.35
Mahaman Hamissou MamanJustice and Development Party7,2110.16
Total4,650,207100.004,434,655100.00
Valid votes4,650,20791.804,434,65597.80
Invalid/blank votes415,2498.2099,7612.20
Total votes5,065,456100.004,534,416100.00
Registered voters/turnout7,580,59866.827,581,54059.81
Source: Constitutional Court Constitutional Court

National Assembly

[edit]

In the parliamentary election, parties supporting Issoufou won a majority, with 118 out of 171 seats in the National Assembly.[23][24]

PartyVotes%Seats+/–
Nigerien Party for Democracy and Socialism1,703,32135.7275+41
Nigerien Democratic Movement for an African Federation615,39312.9125+2
National Movement for the Society of Development488,50210.2420–5
Patriotic Movement for the Republic343,1507.2013New
MNRD–PSDN198,1644.166+6
Nigerien Patriotic Movement152,2523.195New
Alliance of Movements for the Emergence of Niger142,9343.003New
Nigerien Alliance for Democracy and Progress141,0312.964–4
Social Democratic Rally138,0652.904+4
Congress for the Republic122,5732.573New
Democratic and Social Convention114,4032.4030
Rally for Democracy and Progress113,1412.373–4
Union for Democracy and the Republic105,4482.212–4
Democratic Alliance for Niger75,3721.581New
Alliance for Democratic Renewal69,9711.472+2
Social Democratic Party43,2850.912New
Party for National Unity and Democracy24,9580.520New
Nigerien Progressive Party – African Democratic Rally23,0480.4800
Nigerien Self-Management Party22,4260.4700
Convergence for Democracy and Progress17,1290.360New
People's Democratic Party16,7100.3500
New Generation for Niger16,2390.340New
Union of Independent Nigeriens13,3650.280–1
Movement for Democracy and Reform12,9760.270New
Socio-Revolutionary Movement for Democracy11,3020.240New
Movement for Unity and Recovery of the Nation8,7950.180New
IPP/RAYUWA8,3590.180New
Democratic Movement for Renewal6,5350.140New
Union of Socialist Nigeriens5,1530.1100
National Movement for Reform and Social Progress4,9880.100New
Union for Democracy and Social Progress4,2620.090New
Party of Consultation and Peace2,4050.050New
Socialist Party2,3770.050New
Rally of Nigerien Democrats for Reform3640.0100
Nigerien Convention for the Republic750.0000
GIE Bunkasa180.000New
Democratic and Renewal Congress130.000New
Independents1130.0000
Total4,768,615100.00171+58
Valid votes4,768,61594.81
Invalid/blank votes261,0715.19
Total votes5,029,686100.00
Registered voters/turnout7,574,95866.40
Source: Constitutional Court

Reactions

[edit]

Domestic

[edit]

Opposition parties rejected the partial election results released by the electoral commission, claiming discrepancies between the declared results and their own tallies.[25] Amadou Cissé, the Union for Democracy and the Republic candidate, challenged the results and accused the government for creating "thousands of polling stations" to skew the outcome.[26]

International

[edit]
  • African Union – The African Union team of 40 observers was satisfied with the electoral process of the first round of elections despite all the logistical delays.[27]

Aftermath

[edit]

When the National Assembly began meeting for its new term on 24 March 2016, the opposition deputies boycotted it.[23][24] Ousseini Tinni, a PNDS Deputy, was elected as President of the National Assembly on 25 March 2016.[28] With the opposition absent, Tinni received 109 votes in favor and six against, with three abstentions.[29]

The Niamey Court of Appeal issued an order for the "provisional release" of Amadou on 29 March 2016, although by that point he had already been out of the country for nearly two weeks.[30]

On 30 March 2016, the Constitutional Court validated the results and formally declared that Issoufou was re-elected for a second term. Final results showed Issoufou with 92.51% and Amadou with 7.49%, while turnout was placed at 59.80%.[31] On 2 April 2016, Issoufou was sworn in and reappointed Brigi Rafini as Prime Minister.[32]

The composition of the new government was announced on 11 April. Although Issoufou had previously called for the opposition to join a national unity government, ultimately no one from the opposition was included in the government, which continued to be dominated by members of the PNDS. Three minor presidential candidates who had backed Issoufou for the second round were appointed to the government: Ibrahim Yacoubou as Minister of Foreign Affairs, Moctar Kassoum as Minister of Lands and Urban Development, and Magagi Laouan as Minister of Humanitarian Action and Disaster Management.[33]

The opposition deputies eventually took their seats in the National Assembly. In late April they formed two parliamentary groups and put forward candidates for the posts in the Bureau of the National Assembly which had been reserved for the opposition and therefore left vacant, enabling those posts (Second Vice-President, Third Vice-President, Quaestor, and two Parliamentary Secretaries) to be filled.[34]

References

[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

2016 Nigerien general election

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
The 2016 Nigerien general election encompassed presidential and contests held concurrently on 21 , with a presidential runoff on 20 March, amid ongoing security threats from Islamist insurgents. Incumbent President of the Nigerien Party for Democracy and Socialism–Tarayya (PNDS–Tarayya) topped the first-round presidential vote with 48.44 percent, advancing to face of the Nigerien Democratic Movement for an African Federation (MODEN/FA Lumana), who garnered 17.77 percent. In the runoff, Issoufou secured a landslide 92.49 percent of the vote as much of the opposition boycotted over allegations of fraud and irregularities in the initial round. The legislative election saw the PNDS–Tarayya claim 75 seats in the 171-member , enabling Issoufou's coalition to hold a working despite fragmented opposition representation. in the first round exceeded 66 percent of registered voters, dropping in the runoff due to the . Opposition leaders, including , contested the results citing ballot stuffing, underage voting, and delays in tallying, sparking protests and calls for , though international observers noted procedural issues but largely validated the process as reflecting voter intent under challenging conditions. The election underscored persistent elite rivalries and institutional weaknesses in Niger's democratic transitions, with Issoufou's victory extending his tenure focused on amid .

Background

Political and security context

Niger's political landscape entering the 2016 general election reflected a fragile following the 2010 military coup that ousted President , leading to the adoption of a new and multiparty elections in 2011, which brought of the Nigerien Party for Democracy and Socialism (PNDS) to power. Issoufou's first term prioritized stabilizing institutions amid recurrent coups— including those in 1996 and 1999—while addressing governance challenges in a country ranked among the world's least developed, with efforts to boost GDP growth to an average of around 5% annually through agricultural and reforms, though gains were offset by a rate exceeding 3.5%. This backdrop underscored voter emphasis on continuity in leadership to maintain post-coup progress, as elite pacts and regional alliances shaped the contest between the incumbent's coalition and fragmented opposition forces. Security threats dominated the context, with Boko Haram launching cross-border incursions from into 's , resulting in hundreds of civilian deaths and displacements in 2015 alone, as the group exploited porous borders and local resource disputes to expand operations. Issoufou's administration integrated into multinational counterterrorism efforts, including deployments under the Lake Chad Basin Commission, but these strained military resources and heightened public demands for enhanced border security over policy shifts. Spillover from Mali's 2012 Tuareg-led rebellion and subsequent jihadist activities further destabilized northern border areas, fostering refugee flows and intercommunal tensions that prioritized stability as a core electoral stake. Economic vulnerabilities amplified these pressures, as Niger remained heavily dependent on uranium exports—which accounted for over 70% of export revenues but suffered from depressed global prices in 2015—while supported 80% of the population amid recurrent droughts and food insecurity affecting nearly 40% in . Influxes of over 200,000 refugees from and by mid-2015 exacerbated resource strains in hosting regions like Diffa and Tillabéri, fueling local grievances over aid distribution and that causal analysis links to heightened risks of and unrest. These factors oriented voter priorities toward incumbents perceived as delivering incremental and economic resilience rather than untested alternatives. In response, opposition leaders formed the Coalition pour l'Alternative 2016 (COPA 2016), uniting 23 parties including the National Movement for a Developing Society (MNSD) under , to consolidate anti-PNDS votes amid perceptions of ruling party dominance through patronage networks and regional strongholds. This alliance highlighted tribal and elite dynamics, particularly Zarma and Tuareg influences, positioning the election as a test of whether unified opposition could disrupt the PNDS's control without reigniting instability.

Pre-election developments

The National Independent Electoral Commission (CENI) managed processes, compiling a provisional list of 7,571,342 eligible voters by early , amid ongoing efforts to update biometric data and distribute materials across the country. Preparations faced logistical strains in insecure border regions, particularly Diffa in the southeast, where insurgent activities disrupted supply chains and heightened risks to polling infrastructure, necessitating military escorts for electoral personnel and equipment. A major eligibility dispute centered on opposition figure , leader of the MODEN/FA-Lumana party, who was arrested in November 2015 upon returning from exile in , charged with complicity in a cross-border child trafficking network smuggling Nigerian infants for . Amadou's January 2016 bail denial by the court of appeals effectively confined him during the campaign period, prompting claims from him and opposition allies that the indictment was a politically orchestrated effort to neutralize a leading contender against incumbent President . Coalition dynamics intensified parliamentary maneuvering, with the ruling Nigerien Party for Democracy and Socialism (PNDS-Tarraya) forging alliances with smaller parties to bolster prospects for a legislative majority, while the field of 15 presidential aspirants threatened to fragment opposition support and facilitate vote splitting among rivals to the president.

Electoral system

Presidential election

The presidential election was conducted in two rounds, the first on 21 February 2016 and the second on 20 March 2016, under Niger's requiring an absolute majority for victory. In the initial round, incumbent President of the PNDS-Tarrayya party obtained 48.43% of the valid votes, falling short of the 50% threshold needed to avoid a runoff. His closest challenger, of the MODEN/FA-Lumana party, received 17.79%.
CandidatePartyFirst round votes (%)
PNDS-Tarrayya48.43
MODEN/FA-Lumana17.79
OthersVariousRemaining
The Niger Constitutional Court validated these first-round results on 8 March 2016, rejecting challenges from opposition candidates alleging irregularities. In the runoff, Issoufou won decisively with 92.5% of the votes, as announced by the National Independent Electoral Commission (). garnered the remainder, following a by the opposition that endorsed him, which contributed to reduced participation compared to the first round. This turnout decline stemmed from the strategic withdrawal of opposition supporters rather than systemic barriers to voting.
CandidateRunoff votes (%)
92.5
7.5
The subsequently ratified Issoufou's victory, dismissing substantive challenges to the process.

National Assembly election

The was held concurrently with the first round of the on 21–22 February 2016 to elect all 171 members of 's unicameral . The seats were allocated using a mixed system: list with a simple quotient and in eight multi-member ordinary constituencies covering 158 seats, alongside first-past-the-post in special constituencies for minorities (eight seats) and single-member constituencies for citizens abroad (five seats). reached 66.4% among 7,574,958 registered voters. The ruling Nigerien Party for Democracy and Socialism (PNDS-Tarayya), led by President , and its allies secured a strong majority with 108 seats out of 171, reflecting effective coalition-building and voter preference for continuity amid security challenges. The opposition remained fragmented, with the Nigerien Democratic Movement for an African Federation (MODEN/FA-Lumana Africa) obtaining 25 seats and the National Movement for the Development of Society (MNSD-Nassara) gaining 20 seats; smaller parties filled the remainder.
Party/CoalitionSeats
PNDS-Tarayya and allies108
MODEN/FA-Lumana Africa25
MNSD-Nassara20
Other parties18
The results were certified by the on 7 March 2016 following provisional announcements by the National Independent Electoral Commission, with voting extended in some areas due to logistical delays but no widespread disruptions reported. This distribution granted the PNDS-led coalition firm legislative control, enabling alignment with executive priorities despite the more contested presidential race.

Candidates and campaigns

Presidential candidates

The 2016 Nigerien presidential election featured 15 candidates approved by the , reflecting a competitive field dominated by established political elites. Incumbent President , representing the National Movement for a Development Society (PNDS-Tarraya), sought a second term after assuming office in 2011, campaigning on his record of enhancing national security against jihadist insurgencies from groups like and advancing economic stabilization efforts in one of the world's poorest nations. Issoufou's primary opponent was of the Nigerien Movement for an African Federation (MODEN/FA-Lumana), a former under President who had served as speaker until defecting to opposition ranks; Amadou conducted his campaign while facing detention on charges of involvement in an international baby trafficking scandal, positioning himself as a viable alternative amid allegations of incumbent overreach. Another notable contender was of the Democratic and Social Convention-Rahama (CDS-Rahama), who had previously held the from 2007 to 2009 and emphasized governance reforms drawing from his experience in prior administrations. The remaining 12 candidates, including independents and leaders from smaller parties, largely appealed to regional or niche constituencies, contributing to opposition vote fragmentation without mounting serious challenges to the frontrunners. None of the candidates were women, underscoring the enduring male dominance in Nigerien politics, where patriarchal structures limit female representation at the highest levels despite nominal constitutional provisions for in other electoral contexts.

Campaign issues and strategies

The primary campaign issues centered on , economic stagnation, and persistent food insecurity, reflecting Niger's vulnerability as one of the world's poorest nations with 76% of its living on less than $2 per day. Security threats from jihadist groups, including incursions in the and affiliates of (AQIM) and , dominated discourse, with incumbent President highlighting his administration's contributions to the and military investments that had contained attacks since 2015. Issoufou positioned these efforts as evidence of border stabilization, while opponents criticized insufficient domestic focus amid external threats. Economic concerns, particularly amid a demographic where 48.6% of the was under 15 and only around 4,000 formal salaried jobs existed, fueled debates on rural-urban migration and agricultural neglect, exacerbated by climate-induced droughts affecting 2 million requiring food aid in 2016. Issoufou's Nigerien Party for Democracy and Socialism (PNDS) strategy leveraged incumbency advantages, including state media access and rallies in key regions like Diffa, , and Tillabéry, to tout the "" program's infrastructure gains and an ambitious 800,000 billion political agenda promising first-round victory through fulfilled security pledges and anti-corruption measures. In contrast, of the Movement for the Development of the Republic (MODEN/FA-Lumana) and the opposition coalition adopted a mobilization tactic framing him as a political martyr amid his imprisonment on child trafficking allegations, emphasizing Issoufou's alleged failures in poverty alleviation and hospital supplies while raising preemptive fraud concerns like "vote par témoignage" (witness-based voting without ID, affecting 7% of voters lacking documentation). Campaigns featured limited formal debates due to security restrictions, with traditional leaders influencing ethnic voting patterns, particularly among the Hausa majority in rural areas where turnout hinged on local allegiances rather than urban media-driven narratives.

Election conduct

First round voting

The first round of the presidential and legislative elections took place on 21 2016 across Niger's eight regions, involving over 7 million registered voters at approximately 20,000 polling stations. Polling hours ran from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. , with extensions permitted where queues persisted, amid efforts to accommodate rural and nomadic populations. Voter turnout reached 66.75%, reflecting moderate participation despite logistical challenges in remote areas. Security deployments were bolstered nationwide, with heightened military presence in insurgency-affected zones such as the Diffa and Tillabéri regions to counter threats from jihadist groups, though the northern area also saw reinforcements due to historical Tuareg unrest. Initial assessments from domestic monitors, including the Network of Election Watchdogs (Réseau des Organisations pour le Suivi des Élections, ROSLE), noted isolated delays from late material arrivals but no widespread or on voting day. The Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI) employed a centralized compilation system, incorporating SMS-based reporting from polling stations to regional centers for provisional tallies, supplemented by public updates to promote immediate transparency and reduce manipulation risks. Participation showed urban-rural disparities, with stronger turnout in the capital —where infrastructure facilitated access—contrasted against lower rates in conflict zones, where displacement and insecurity deterred voters.

Runoff preparations

Following the provisional results of the first round on 21 February 2016, announced by the National Independent Electoral Commission (CENI) on 26 February, incumbent President received 48.43% of the votes, while garnered 17.72%, necessitating a runoff under of the , which mandates an absolute majority exceeding 50% for election. CENI scheduled the second round for 20 March 2016, initiating a campaign period of approximately three weeks focused on mobilizing voters in key regions where Amadou had shown strength, such as Tillabéri and . Amadou, detained since November 2015 on charges related to an alleged baby trafficking scandal, conducted his runoff efforts primarily through proxies and supporters, as his health deteriorated; he received temporary release for local treatment on 12 March before being medically evacuated to on 16 March for further care, limiting direct participation but allowing his name to remain on the . Issoufou's campaign emphasized continuity in security and economic reforms amid ongoing threats from , while both sides adhered to CENI guidelines on rallies and media access, though logistical constraints shortened effective mobilization time due to the compressed timeline post-first round. Security preparations intensified with deployments of national forces to polling sites and urban centers, responding to elevated risks of unrest in opposition strongholds; authorities reported no major pre-vote incidents but maintained vigilance against potential disruptions. Regional bodies including the and positioned observers to monitor compliance with electoral protocols, underscoring commitments to procedural integrity without endorsing specific outcomes.

Results

Presidential election

The presidential election was conducted in two rounds, the first on 21 February 2016 and the second on 20 March 2016, under Niger's requiring an absolute majority for victory. In the initial round, incumbent President of the PNDS-Tarrayya party obtained 48.43% of the valid votes, falling short of the 50% threshold needed to avoid a runoff. His closest challenger, of the MODEN/FA-Lumana party, received 17.79%.
CandidatePartyFirst round votes (%)
PNDS-Tarrayya48.43
MODEN/FA-Lumana17.79
OthersVariousRemaining
The Niger Constitutional Court validated these first-round results on 8 March 2016, rejecting challenges from opposition candidates alleging irregularities. In the runoff, Issoufou won decisively with 92.5% of the votes, as announced by the . garnered the remainder, following a by the opposition that endorsed him, which contributed to reduced participation compared to the first round. This turnout decline stemmed from the strategic withdrawal of opposition supporters rather than systemic barriers to voting.
CandidateRunoff votes (%)
Mahamadou Issoufou92.5
Hama Amadou7.5
The subsequently ratified Issoufou's victory, dismissing substantive challenges to the process.

National Assembly election

The was held concurrently with the first round of the on 21–22 February 2016 to elect all 171 members of 's unicameral . The seats were allocated using a mixed system: list with a simple quotient and in eight multi-member ordinary constituencies covering 158 seats, alongside first-past-the-post in special constituencies for minorities (eight seats) and single-member constituencies for citizens abroad (five seats). reached 66.4% among 7,574,958 registered voters. The ruling Nigerien Party for Democracy and Socialism (PNDS-Tarayya), led by President , and its allies secured a strong majority with 108 seats out of 171, reflecting effective coalition-building and voter preference for continuity amid security challenges. The opposition remained fragmented, with the Nigerien Democratic Movement for an African Federation (MODEN/FA-Lumana Africa) obtaining 25 seats and the National Movement for the Development of Society (MNSD-Nassara) gaining 20 seats; smaller parties filled the remainder.
Party/CoalitionSeats
PNDS-Tarayya and allies108
MODEN/FA-Lumana Africa25
MNSD-Nassara20
Other parties18
The results were certified by the on 7 March 2016 following provisional announcements by the National Independent Electoral Commission, with voting extended in some areas due to logistical delays but no widespread disruptions reported. This distribution granted the PNDS-led coalition firm legislative control, enabling alignment with executive priorities despite the more contested presidential race.

Controversies

Fraud and irregularity allegations

The opposition coalition led by rejected the provisional results of the February 21, 2016, first-round presidential election, alleging without providing detailed evidence of specific incidents such as ballot stuffing or tampering. Provisional tallies from the National Independent Electoral Commission (CENI) showed incumbent with 48.43% of the vote against Amadou's 17.79%, prompting claims of unfair treatment and delays in result announcements. These assertions escalated when the opposition withdrew from the runoff, citing "irregularities and massive " as justification for non-participation, though no verifiable documentation of widespread voter or tribal vote-buying was presented. Security constraints in regions affected by limited polling access and observer coverage in some areas, which the opposition attributed to potential manipulation but independent assessments linked primarily to logistical challenges rather than deliberate interference. CENI countered by upholding the process through standard audit trails and transparency measures, with international observers concluding the elections were largely free and fair despite isolated minor irregularities that did not alter national outcomes. Such claims echoed patterns from Niger's prior elections, like , where opposition protests alleged similar misconduct but lacked empirical substantiation of systemic invalidation. On 8 March 2016, the opposition COPA 2016, backing presidential candidate , formally announced its withdrawal from the 20 March run-off election against incumbent President , citing alleged fraud and irregularities in the 21 February first round. , detained since November 2015 on charges of involvement in an international baby trafficking scheme, publicly urged his supporters and members to the vote as a means of protesting what the opposition described as a manipulated process. This decision followed provisional first-round results placing Amadou in second with 17.8% of votes, positioning him for the run-off, but the framed non-participation as a tactical rejection of legitimacy rather than engaging further in the electoral contest. The boycott had a pronounced effect on turnout patterns, with abstention particularly high in opposition-leaning regions such as those in the west and center, where had drawn strong first-round support. Overall run-off participation dropped to around 53% from 68% in the first round, enabling Issoufou to capture over 92% of votes cast amid the skewed field of participating voters. This outcome underscored the 's self-reinforcing mechanism, as widespread non-participation by COPA-aligned voters and parties reduced competition and magnified the incumbent's dominance in areas where voting proceeded, without altering verified procedural standards in polling stations that operated. Opposition efforts to pursue legal recourse through petitions to the challenging first-round validity were preemptively undermined by the boycott strategy, with the court validating those results on the same day as the withdrawal announcement, 8 2016, after reviewing submitted evidence and finding no basis for annulment. Subsequent post-run-off contestations similarly faltered, as the court proclaimed Issoufou's victory on 22 without sustaining claims of systemic invalidity, consistent with requirements for concrete proof under Nigerien electoral law. These rulings echoed precedents from the elections, where the rejected opposition petitions against Issoufou's initial win, upholding results absent demonstrable evidence of irregularities sufficient to void outcomes nationwide. The pattern highlighted courts' insistence on evidentiary thresholds over unsubstantiated allegations, rendering s a parallel tactic to litigation but one that amplified tactical delegitimization efforts without judicial success.

Reactions

Domestic responses

The opposition coalition, led by of the National Movement for a Developing Society, rejected the provisional results of the first round on February 21, 2016, alleging widespread fraud and irregularities. In response, they boycotted the presidential runoff on March 20, 2016, refusing to recognize 's subsequent victory, which saw him secure 92% of the votes cast amid reduced participation. This strategic withdrawal limited organized domestic unrest, with no reports of large-scale post-election demonstrations in , though pre-election tensions had included arrests of opposition figures and supporters on charges related to security threats. Issoufou was inaugurated for his second term on April 2, 2016, in a ceremony where he emphasized continued efforts against jihadist insurgencies and , framing the election outcome as a mandate for national unity and stability amid regional instability. State-aligned media portrayed the results as a endorsement of his , while opposition-leaning outlets and underground networks disseminated critiques of electoral manipulation, highlighting elite polarization. responses were mixed; some groups urged acceptance of the results to prioritize cooperation, reflecting concerns over and AQIM threats, whereas others aligned with opposition demands for investigations into alleged vote tampering. Public sentiment, inferred from the absence of widespread protests and the government's unchallenged transition, indicated broad acquiescence despite elite divisions, with security imperatives outweighing electoral grievances for many citizens. No comprehensive post-election polls were conducted to quantify acceptance levels, but the low runoff turnout of around 54% suggested voter disengagement rather than active repudiation.

International observations

The Election Observation Mission deployed to monitor the 21 February 2016 parliamentary and presidential elections assessed the process as generally free, fair, and transparent, noting that voting occurred in a peaceful and orderly atmosphere. This preliminary evaluation aligned with joint observations from regional bodies including , which contributed to missions emphasizing the absence of major disruptions despite security challenges in the . Irregularities were reported, such as isolated incidents of voter intimidation and logistical issues, but these were deemed not systemic or sufficient to alter outcomes by AU observers. The acknowledged President Mahamadou Issoufou's re-election following the 20 March runoff, with the State Department citing validation of the elections as generally free and fair despite opposition claims and the detention of rival , which restricted his campaigning. , Niger's primary bilateral partner in counter-terrorism, highlighted effective security measures that mitigated risks from jihadist threats, enabling voter participation without widespread violence. The later welcomed the elections as free and peaceful in a July 2016 presidential statement, reflecting broader international endorsement. Human rights groups, including those referenced in U.S. reports, expressed limited criticism focused on Amadou's on baby-trafficking charges and its impact on opposition viability, but refrained from disputing the vote's integrity overall. No were imposed, and Western donors maintained support for Niger's security forces against and ISIS affiliates, signaling acceptance of Issoufou's renewed mandate amid ongoing regional instability.

Aftermath

Government formation

Mahamadou Issoufou was inaugurated for his second term as president on April 2, 2016, following his victory in the March 20 presidential runoff. On the same day, he reappointed of the ruling Nigerien Party for Democracy and Socialism (PNDS-Tarayya) as prime minister, maintaining continuity in executive leadership amid ongoing security challenges from Islamist insurgencies. The new cabinet was announced on , 2016, comprising 32 ministers drawn primarily from PNDS loyalists and partners, with key and interior portfolios assigned to close allies to consolidate control over defense and internal affairs. This formation emphasized technocratic appointments in economic ministries to address fiscal pressures from low prices and regional instability, while ensuring PNDS's dominance in the , where it held 75 seats alongside allied parties' support for a working majority. The opposition Coalition pour l'Alternance 2016 (COPA 2016) initially sessions in protest against alleged electoral irregularities, temporarily reducing attendance and complicating quorum requirements for legislative proceedings. However, the ruling coalition's majority enabled passage of essential bills without full opposition participation, and the boycott was lifted on April 18, 2016, allowing resumption of plenary sessions and preventing broader institutional paralysis.

Political and security implications

The re-election of Mahamadou Issoufou and the Nigerien Party for Democracy and Socialism (PNDS-Tarayya) in the 2016 general election consolidated the party's dominance in Nigerien politics, enabling policy continuity through to the 2021 presidential transition. This marked Niger's first civilian-to-civilian handover of power without a coup, a significant departure from the country's history of five successful military coups since independence in 1960. Voter turnout in the 2016 presidential runoff stood at approximately 66.75%, serving as a benchmark for procedural resilience amid ongoing challenges, though subsequent elections showed patterns of youth disillusionment reflected in persistent low engagement. On the security front, Issoufou's strengthened mandate facilitated intensified counter-jihadist operations against groups like and affiliates in the , bolstered by French and U.S. military assistance, including drone bases. These efforts contributed to relative stability in compared to neighboring and , with no successful coups during Issoufou's tenure (2011–2021), despite persistent attacks along borders with and . Empirical indicators, such as sustained territorial control and avoidance of , underscore causal links between electoral legitimacy and operational continuity, though jihadist incidents remained a chronic threat without overall reduction in attack frequency during the period. Critics, including reports from democratic monitoring organizations, highlighted risks of , attributing opposition suppression and electoral irregularities to imperatives, which arguably prioritized stability over pluralism. However, this approach yielded tangible gains in averting coups and maintaining anti-terrorism , balancing short-term authoritarian tendencies against long-term rupture prevention in a jihadist-threatened context. Such dynamics positioned the 2016 outcome as a pivot for procedural endurance rather than full .

References

  1. https://www.electionguide.org/elections/id/2667/
  2. https://www.electionguide.org/elections/id/2895/
  3. https://www.dw.com/en/nigers-opposition-says-it-will-boycott-runoff-election/a-19103957
  4. https://www.electionguide.org/elections/id/2668/
  5. https://www.rfi.fr/en/africa/20160309-personality-politics-behind-niger-opposition-boycott-mahamadou-issoufou-presidential
  6. https://sahelblog.wordpress.com/2016/03/30/guest-post-the-2016-election-in-niger-a-missed-opportunity/
  7. https://democracyinafrica.org/old-habits-die-hard-elite-behavior-and-the-2016-presidential-elections-in-niger/
  8. https://www.systemicpeace.org/polity/P5Niger2018.pdf
  9. https://mo.ibrahim.foundation/sites/default/files/2021-03/niger_under_issoufou.pdf
  10. https://www.crisisgroup.org/africa/niger/245-niger-and-boko-haram-beyond-counter-insurgency
  11. https://www.brookings.edu/articles/in-the-eye-of-the-storm-niger-and-its-unstable-neighbors/
  12. https://www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/scr/2015/cr1564.pdf
  13. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-28966966
  14. https://www.reuters.com/article/world/niger-opposition-figure-arrested-after-returning-from-exile-idUSKCN0T31GR/
  15. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-35280576
  16. https://www.ipu.org/sites/default/files/documents/d-ner115-155-e.pdf
  17. http://archive.ipu.org/parline-e/reports/2237_e.htm
  18. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-03-08/niger-constitutional-court-validates-first-round-election-result
  19. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-03-22/niger-president-issoufou-wins-92-5-of-votes-in-runoff-election
  20. https://www.reuters.com/article/world/boycott-helps-niger-president-issoufou-win-re-election-idUSKCN0WP0H2/
  21. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2016/3/23/niger-president-issoufou-scores-landslide-election-win
  22. https://theglobalobservatory.org/2016/03/issouffou-niger-elections-amadou/
  23. https://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/africa/ne-politics-2016.htm
  24. https://data.ipu.org/parliament/NE/NE-LC01/election/NE-LC01-E20160221
  25. http://archive.ipu.org/parline-e/reports/2237_b.htm
  26. https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/world/archives/2016/01/11/2003636963
  27. https://www.france24.com/en/20160220-niger-presidential-legislative-elections-world-poorest-nation-polls-issoufou-oumaru
  28. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2016/2/26/niger-elections-president-issoufou-to-face-runoff-vote
  29. https://www.voanews.com/a/niger-president-leads-early-election-results-/3203051.html
  30. https://www.ibtimes.com/niger-presidential-election-2016-guide-candidates-key-issues-rules-results-2315604
  31. https://www.france24.com/fr/20160220-niger-enjeux-presidentielle-pays-le-moins-developpe-monde-issoufou-oumarou
  32. https://www.grip.org/niger-cap-sur-2016-situation-politique-et-securitaire-a-la-veille-des-elections/
  33. https://www.dw.com/fr/au-niger-le-pr%C3%A9sident-promet-la-s%C3%A9curit%C3%A9/a-19021653
  34. https://www.dw.com/fr/les-nig%C3%A9riens-jugent-le-bilan-dissoufou/a-19059994
  35. https://www.usip.org/publications/2021/03/despite-post-election-violence-niger-achieves-democratic-breakthrough
  36. https://www.rfi.fr/en/africa/20160222-vote-counting-begins-niger-following-sunday-s-presidential-election
  37. https://www.dw.com/en/mahamadou-issoufou-to-face-hama-amadou-in-niger-presidential-run-off/a-19078428
  38. https://www.africanews.com/2016/02/26/niger-elections-issoufou-fails-to-clinch-historic-first-round-win/
  39. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2016/3/20/niger-votes-in-runoff-amid-opposition-boycott
  40. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-35820552
  41. https://www.africanews.com/2016/03/16/nigeriens-prepare-for-sunday-s-runoff-amid-political-tensions/
  42. https://www.reuters.com/article/world/niger-opposition-rejects-initial-election-results-citing-fraud-idUSL8N1623K1/
  43. https://www.dw.com/en/niger-opposition-refuses-to-recognize-vote/a-19068732
  44. https://www.africanews.com/2016/04/18/niger-opposition-coalition-resumes-political-activities/
  45. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-35832560
  46. https://www.csmonitor.com/World/Africa/2016/0225/Uganda-and-Niger-How-far-can-the-US-push-allies-on-election-irregularities
  47. https://www.refworld.org/reference/annualreport/freehou/2016/en/111890
  48. https://www.globalvoices.org/2016/03/13/social-medias-impact-on-the-2016-general-election-in-niger/
  49. https://www.france24.com/en/20160308-niger-opposition-hama-amadou-drops-out-presidential-run-off-election
  50. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-35764353
  51. https://www.africanews.com/2016/03/24/niger-opposition-parties-rejects-election-results//
  52. https://www.europe1.fr/international/niger-le-president-issoufou-reelu-lors-dun-scrutin-conteste-2699911
  53. http://archive.ipu.org/parline-e/reports/arc/2237_11.htm
  54. https://www.reuters.com/article/world/niger-opposition-rejects-initial-election-results-citing-fraud-idUSKCN0VW1KN/
  55. https://www.dw.com/en/niger-president-mahamadou-issoufou-vows-to-fight-jihadists-and-poverty-in-second-term/a-19160661
  56. https://www.france24.com/en/20160402-niger-issoufou-sworn-second-term-president
  57. https://au.int/en/pressreleases/20160223-0
  58. https://www.state.gov/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Niger-1.pdf
  59. https://ne.usembassy.gov/official-reports/
  60. https://press.un.org/en/2016/sc12464.doc.htm
  61. https://www.voanews.com/a/niger-president-issoufuo-sworn-in-another-term/3266235.html
  62. https://www.rulers.org/2016-04.html
  63. https://new.defenceweb.co.za/governance/governance-governance/nigers-issoufou-tightens-grip-after-polls-with-loyalist-cabinet/
  64. https://thepeninsulaqatar.com/article/18/04/2016/Niger-s-opposition-lifts-boycott-of-parliament
  65. https://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/africa/ne-politics.htm
  66. https://www.democratic-erosion.com/2020/03/02/conflict-erodes-democracy-in-niger/
  67. https://freedomhouse.org/country/niger/freedom-world/2021
  68. https://www.ispionline.it/en/publication/nigers-elections-amid-violence-and-authoritarian-backsliding-27967
Add your contribution
Related Hubs
User Avatar
No comments yet.