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Niger troops vote on third term Niger troops vote on third term
(about 4 hours later)
Niger's military is set to vote in a referendum on President Mamadou Tandja's bid to serve a third term.Niger's military is set to vote in a referendum on President Mamadou Tandja's bid to serve a third term.
The government says the soldiers are voting early so they can ensure the safety of the rest of the people, who will go to the polls on Tuesday.The government says the soldiers are voting early so they can ensure the safety of the rest of the people, who will go to the polls on Tuesday.
Earlier, opposition groups reiterated they would boycott the vote, which they have described a coup d'etat.Earlier, opposition groups reiterated they would boycott the vote, which they have described a coup d'etat.
Mr Tandja has recently dissolved parliament and the constitutional court to push through his referendum plan.Mr Tandja has recently dissolved parliament and the constitutional court to push through his referendum plan.
He says the people of Niger want him to stay in power, and his actions reflect their will.He says the people of Niger want him to stay in power, and his actions reflect their will.
But his efforts have caused widespread protests in Niger and sparked international condemnation.But his efforts have caused widespread protests in Niger and sparked international condemnation.
'Illegal referendum''Illegal referendum'
Reports from the country said huge posters of Mr Tandja were plastered throughout the capital, Niamey, and other main cities. Huge posters of Mr Tandja have been plastered throughout the capital, Niamey, and other main cities.
Mr Tandja's backers say he has reduced poverty The BBC's Idy Baraou in Niamey says state media has been calling on voters to say "Yes" to changing the constitution so the 71-year-old president can stay in office.
State media has been calling on voters to say "yes" to changing the constitution so the 71-year-old president can stay in office. MAMADOU TANDJA Former army colonel, part of 1974 coupFirst elected in 1999First Niger leader to be re-elected - in 2004Says he must stay in office to continue economic projectsCritics say the referendum is the same as a coup class="" href="/2/hi/africa/8181537.stm">Profile: Mamadou Tandja
The official campaign says a "Yes" will improve people's lives whereas a "No" vote means the country will remain stuck in poverty.
Campaigning officially ended on Sunday at midnight local time.
The move would allow him an initial three-year term, and then he would be able to run for re-election with no term limits.The move would allow him an initial three-year term, and then he would be able to run for re-election with no term limits.
The BBC's Idy Baraou in Niamey says the referendum is asking the people to vote yes if they want the betterment of their life, and a better tomorrow.
The AFP news agency reported that opposition leader Mahamadou Issoufou launched a final appeal on Sunday for "mobilisation to cause the illegal referendum to fail".The AFP news agency reported that opposition leader Mahamadou Issoufou launched a final appeal on Sunday for "mobilisation to cause the illegal referendum to fail".
Speaking for the blanket group Co-ordination of Democratic Forces for the Republic (CFDR), he said: "Our duty as citizens is to defend the current constitution."Speaking for the blanket group Co-ordination of Democratic Forces for the Republic (CFDR), he said: "Our duty as citizens is to defend the current constitution."
Mr Tandja was first elected in 1999, and then again five years later.Mr Tandja was first elected in 1999, and then again five years later.
He had previously promised to quit in December this year, a month after presidential elections are due to be held.He had previously promised to quit in December this year, a month after presidential elections are due to be held.
But the president's supporters argue he should be allowed a third term.But the president's supporters argue he should be allowed a third term.
They point to his success in sealing deals with international energy firms over oil and uranium exploration.They point to his success in sealing deals with international energy firms over oil and uranium exploration.
And the president has argued that he needs more time to finish other large projects, such as a dam on the River Niger.And the president has argued that he needs more time to finish other large projects, such as a dam on the River Niger.
Will you be voting in the referendum? Send us your views using the postform below.Will you be voting in the referendum? Send us your views using the postform below.
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