CONTENTS | ANB-BIA HOMEPAGE | WEEKLY NEWS
by Djibo Alfari, Niamey, Niger, 13 March 1999
THEME = ELECTIONS
The recent local elections were intended to give concrete
expression to the country's desire
to decentralise its democratic institutions. Unfortunately, things got out of hand
because of acts of vandalism during the elections
On Sunday, 7 February, nearly four million Nigériens were called upon to cast their votes, so as to elect those fellow citizens who were to represent them on local, departmental and regional councils. This was in accordance with Law number 96-06 covering the decentralisation process in the Republic of Niger.
The elections were judged to be of national importance, for it was the first time in Niger's history that this kind of election had been organised. The mass-media, the state-run and private Press, all gave over their editorials to various aspects of the elections. The whole intention was to help as many Nigériens as possible to appreciate that decentralisation means finding local solutions to local problems.
The 31 July 1998 agreements, meant that Mr Mahamane Dan-dah, a judge and trade unionist, could become Chairman of the National Independent Electoral Commission (CENI). This Commission was made up of representatives from the various political parties and groupings; likewise from the Civil Society. During six months the Commission got through a colossal amount of work so as to ensure the elections were organised in a free and open way - indeed, this was Niger's »last chance». The elections would allow Nigériens to reconcile themselves with each other, so that the country would once again be on track for achieving its development. Niger's friends outside the country gave both moral and material support.
In short, everything possible was done so that on election day, our country's citizens, in casting their votes, would be aware they were making history. The elections were meant to proceed in a peaceful and orderly fashion. In that, all the opposition political parties agreed. They certainly didn't want a repeat of what happened in July 1996! In this way, Niger's citizens would be truly represented in the halls of power and the option for a decentralised form of government would be emphasized. This is in contrast to the Federal system originally envisaged by the Tuareg rebels but who were now prepared to accept a decentralised form of government.
February 7th arrived. Everything seemed to start calmly and in good order. There weren't any reports of major disturbances during the course of the day. However, the situation deteriorated during the morning of 8th February, when CENI's chairman began to announce the first election results over the radio. These results clearly showed the Opposition to be in the lead.
But it was learnt that in some counting centres, during the counting of votes, thugs armed with cudgels or guns burst into the halls, completely looted the offices and destroyed election material. Others, somewhat less violent, simply decided to tear-up the official reports of the election exercise, plus other legal documents relating to the elections! If one is to believe opposition witnesses and others who saw what happened, senior personalities were directly involved in what took place. There's even talk of some Members of Parliament and Sub-Prefects being involved!
An extraordinary Cabinet meeting was immediately called so as to find out exactly what was going on. At all costs, the country must not be plunged into chaos. Following the meeting, it was decided that the vote-counting must continue in those centres unaffected by the trouble. Prime Minister Assane Mayaki appealed for calm and responsibility.
In spite of the reported damage, the CENI decided to continue its work, and asked the returning officers to validate those results where at least 70% of voting papers still existed. Also, the various political parties categorically refused to re-run the elections in places where the election officials had managed to hold on to the signed election register stating the names and number of people who actually voted, plus the official documents notarizing the election results. It was enough to put together all these details, to ensure a more or less accurate result.
Witnesses said that those mainly behind the violence were militants of the political movement, the Rally for Democracy and Progress (RDP-Jama'a) backing General Ibrahim Baré Mainassara. But the RDP-Jama'a says it was in no way responsible for what happened, Rather, blame must be laid at the door of the various opposition groupings and parties! The Head of State has promised that those responsible for the violence will be punished. A recent announcement over the radio stated: «We know exactly who is to blame».
At the time of writing, the Supreme Court hasn't yet received all the necessary documentation from the counting centres, enabling it to give the official results. The Nigérien people are still waiting...patiently, for the outcome.
However, listening to both party stalwarts and the ordinary citizen, it becomes clear that there's:
A certain sadness over what's happened. People seem tired and fed up with all these uncertainties which never seem to end. There are, after all, other urgent needs to be tackled in a country where the economic and social order is far from improving.
A big question mark hangs over Niger's political future. When will there be a true democracy in which each will have his/her say in the running of the country.
Finally, people hope, in spite of everything that the election results will be accepted in such a way that the country will be saved from further useless trials and tribulations.
May our politicians listen carefully to the cry of the people.
END
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