Retired Officer Wins Niger Vote for President
A retired military officer has won presidential elections held to restore civilian rule in Niger, election officials said today.
Tandja Mamadou won 60% of the ballots cast Wednesday in the second round of voting for a president to replace junta leader Daouda Malam Wanke, according to provisional results announced by the independent electoral commission.
His opponent, former Prime Minister Mahamadou Issoufou, received 40% of the vote.
The high court must confirm the count. The new president is expected to take office Jan. 1.
Mamadou and Issoufou had the most votes among seven candidates in the first round of voting Oct. 17. However, neither won the majority needed to be elected outright.
Wanke seized power in April after former President Ibrahim Mainassara Bare was assassinated by members of the presidential guard, which Wanke headed.
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