Niger currently has no officially scheduled national elections, as the country is under a five-year transition period established by the military junta after the 2023 coup. The next major elections are expected around 2030, though the precise date will depend on progress in reforms and decisions made by the transitional authorities.
Niger
Following the 2023 coup d’état, Niger’s political landscape is defined by military rule and a five-year transitional period. The democratically elected government was overthrown, constitutional order has been suspended, and the military junta has consolidated its power.
28.8 million
Population
97:100
Men-Women Ratio
26%
Women Representation
Overview
Niger gained independence on August 3, 1960, with Hamani Diori becoming its first president.
Niger has historically followed a semi-presidential democratic system with a multi-party structure, featuring a President elected for a five-year term via popular vote and a Prime Minister appointed by the President, sharing executive responsibilities. The unicameral National Assembly includes 113 members, elected for five-year terms, with parties required to secure at least 5% of the vote to gain representation. Niger’s political history has been tumultuous, alternating between civilian rule and repeated military coups. Under the 1999 Constitution, adopted following referendums in 1992 and 1999, the semi-presidential system was restored and reinforced. Regular elections and constitutional governance were reestablished after each coup, most notably with the 2010 referendum that reinstated democratic institutions after a 2010 military takeover.
The nation has endured multiple coups, including those in 1974, 1996, 1999, 2010, and most recently 2023, when President Mohamed Bazoum was ousted by the Presidential Guard led by General Abdourahamane Tchiani. The coup led to the suspension of the constitution and the installation of a military junta, disrupting democratic governance.
Key political milestones since independence:
– 1974: Lieutenant Colonel Seyni Kountché overthrows Hamani Diori.
– 1996: Coup led by Ibrahim Baré Mainassara amid political gridlock.
– 1999: Military takeover followed by a return to civilian rule under Mamadou Tandja and constitutional reform.
– 2010: Military junta led by Salou Djibo suspends the constitution, but a referendum later that year restores the constitutional order.
– 2023: General Tchiani’s coup dissolves democratic institutions; constitutional rule replaced by transitional military governance.
Upcoming Elections
General Elections
Postponed
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Participation Metrics
Registered Voters
In the 2020-2021 general elections, Niger registered approximately 7.45 million voters, based on a nationwide biometric enrollment campaign that helped reduce duplicates and improve the accuracy of voter lists. The electoral register included both standard adult citizens and a small number of legally emancipated minors, reflecting efforts to broaden electoral participation. Registration data indicate a growing electorate, shaped by Niger’s rapidly expanding population and improved administrative capacity.
Voter Turnout
Voter turnout in Niger’s most recent national elections was relatively strong compared to regional averages. The first round of the 2020 presidential and legislative elections recorded turnout of about 69-70%, demonstrating high initial engagement. The second-round runoff in February 2021 saw turnout decline to about 63%, a common pattern in two-round systems. Observation missions, including from the African Union, confirmed overall meaningful participation despite localized security challenges.
Age / Youth Participation
Youth constitute the majority of Niger’s electorate, with about 65% of registered voters in 2020 classified as ‘young’, according to observer reports. This demographic dominance reflects Niger’s status as one of the youngest populations in the world and signals the increasing political relevance of youth concerns such as unemployment, education, and security. Eligibility begins at 18 years, and the register also included over 85,000 emancipated minors, showing the legal system’s flexibility in recognizing early civic responsibility.
Gender Representation in the Electorate
Women represented approximately 55% of registered voters in the 2020-2021 elections, making them a slight majority of the electorate. Niger’s gender-quota laws aim to translate this numerical strength into political representation by requiring minimum proportions of women on candidate lists and in elected and appointed positions. While registration parity is strong, actual representation continues to depend on party practices, enforcement of quotas, and broader socio-political dynamics.
Key Electoral Institutions
Political parties and the National Assembly
Political parties and the National Assembly are crucial to the functioning of Mauritania’s electoral system, even though they are not direct management bodies. Political parties mobilize citizens, nominate candidates, and monitor elections through agents and observers. The National Assembly contributes by debating and enacting electoral laws, shaping the legal framework within which CENI and other institutions operate. Together, they provide democratic oversight and ensure political pluralism in the electoral environment.
Contact Information
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Constitutional Council
They serve as the highest judicial authority on electoral and constitutional matters in Mauritania. It validates and proclaims final election results, particularly for presidential and parliamentary elections, and confirms the eligibility of presidential candidates. The Council also adjudicates electoral disputes, ensuring that elections comply with the constitution and legal framework. Its rulings are final and binding, giving it a central role in safeguarding the integrity and legitimacy of electoral outcomes.
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Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI)
This is Mauritania’s principal body responsible for organizing and supervising all elections, including presidential, parliamentary, regional, and municipal polls. It operates as an autonomous institution mandated to ensure transparency, neutrality, and fairness in the electoral process. CENI oversees voter registration, monitors campaign conduct, manages the logistics of voting and counting, and announces provisional results. Its members are appointed through political consensus, typically representing both ruling and opposition parties, to reinforce public confidence and political balance.
Contact Information
- Headquarters: Commission Électorale Nationale Indépendante (CENI) of Mauritania
- Mailing Address: B.P. 4550, Nouakchott, Mauritania
- Hotline: +222 45 24 15 40
- Email: ceni@ceni.mr
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Direction Générale des Élections (DGE)
The DGE is the main new electoral management body in Guinea, created by decree in 2025. It is responsible for organising elections (both elections and referendums), maintaining and managing the electoral register, and guaranteeing aspects of electoral fairness. The DGE also represents Guinea in regional and international electoral organisations.
Contact Information
- Headquarters: Direction Générale des Élections (DGE)
- Mailing Address: Based in Conakry, Commune de Dixinn
- Hotline: +224 628 00 00 00
- Email: contact@dge.gov.gn
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Judiciary (Election Petitions)
The High Court of The Gambia hears election petitions. (Election Petition Rules 1976 govern the process.)
Contact Information
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Electoral Laws & Policies
Charter of Refoundation, March 2025: The Charter provides for a five-year transition period, which may be extended depending on the security situation and progress of the refoundation roadmap.
Charte de la refondation et ordonnance de dissolution des partis politiques du 26 mars 2025
Electoral Code Updates
https://www.gouv.ne/index.php/textes-fondamentaux/code-electoral
Accredited Election Monitoring Organizations
Recent Election Publication
News & Updates
Election Result Platform
How To Monitor Elections In
Niger
Purpose
Promote transparent, credible, and peaceful elections in Niger (presidential, legislative, and local).
Key Actors
International observers (regional bodies, foreign missions, NGOs)
Domestic observers (Nigerien civil society coalitions)
Citizen observers (trained volunteers)
Media observers (press accreditation)
Accreditation and Legal Framework
Accredited observers must go through the National Commission on the Registration of Elections (CENI) or its accredited observer coalitions.
Observation is allowed under Nigerien electoral law; observers must follow accreditation rules, safety procedures, and non-interference norms.
Timelines: Accreditation windows open ahead of Election Day; apply through CENI or recognized coalitions.
Observer Tracks
International observers: Regional bodies (ECOWAS, AU), international NGOs, and donor missions.
Domestic observers: Nigerien CSOs and coalitions.
Citizen observers: Trained individuals/teams linked to networks.
Media observers: Journalists with official press accreditation.
Planning and Preparation
Join a recognized observer network or coalition; secure credentials.
Define scope: polling stations, counting centers, results transmission, or broader sampling with urban/rural balance.
Training: pre-election briefings on procedures, indicators, safety, and ethics.
Tools: standardized checklists, incident reporting templates, offline data capture options; photography where permitted.
On Election Day
At polling stations:
Verify accreditation; observe access, queues, secrecy of the vote, and procedure compliance.
Record anomalies: delays, voter intimidation, missing materials, misprinted ballots.
Counting and transmission:
Observe counting where allowed; document procedures and deviations.
Monitor results transmission; compare with official figures when possible.
Reporting:
Use approved templates; escalate issues through coalition channels or official liaison points.
Post-Election Activities
Preliminary report: concise overview of turnout, trends, and anomalies.
Verification: cross-check with official results and other observer reports.
Public engagement: brief communities, media, and stakeholders; provide channels for reporting irregularities.
Follow-up: contribute to post-election reviews and reforms.
Ethical Principles
Impartiality, non-interference, accuracy, safety, and data privacy.
Respect voters, officials, and fellow observers; avoid disrupting processes.
Timeline (Condensed)
6–12 months before: join coalition, plan accreditation.
3–6 months before: complete training; finalize deployment plan.
Weeks before: confirm sampling; arrange logistics.
Election Day: observe and report.
1–2 weeks after: publish preliminary findings; submit final report.
Resources (where to start)
Nigerien electoral authority: Commission Électorale Nationale (CEN) or equivalent national body; look for accreditation guidelines.
Regional observers: ECOWAS, AU election missions; check their Niger liaison pages.
International partners: EU EOM, UNDP/national programs (Niger), reputable NGOs.
Domestic CSOs: Nigerien observer coalitions and academic partners.