President Mahamadou Issoufou's Niger Party for Democracy and Socialism (PNDS Tarayya) and its allies (see note 1) won a total of 108 seats, securing a majority in the enlarged 171-member National Assembly (see note 2). The Niger Democratic Movement for an African Federation (MODEN/FA-Lumana Africa), led from prison by the former Speaker of the National Assembly, Mr. Hama Amadou, came a distant second (see note 3). Delays at polling stations caused voting to be extended by an extra day. During the election campaign, the major parties focused on economic and social development, promotion of democracy and the rule of law.

In the presidential elections, held in parallel with the parliamentary polls, the election commission announced that President Issoufou (PNDS) came first in the first round of voting, followed by former Speaker Amadou. Opposition parties claimed irregularities and massive fraud. Previously, 23 opposition parties had formed the Coalition for the Alternative 2016 (COPA 2016, see note 4) and agreed to back whichever opposition candidate made it to the second round, scheduled for 20 March.

On 7 March, the Constitutional Court validated the preliminary results of the first round. The following day, the COPA 2016 announced its withdrawal from the second round of presidential elections, accusing the Constitutional Court of a lack of impartiality and independence. It demanded that parliamentarians representing parties in the COPA 2016 cease all activities in the National Assembly.

On 20 March, President Issoufou was re-elected with 92 percent of the vote in the run-off elections.

Note 1:
The PNDS Tarayya led the Movement for the Renaissance of Niger (MRN), a 22-party pro-presidential alliance. The MRN includes the Patriotic Movement for the Republic (MPR-Jamhuriya), formed by former MNSD Secretary General Albadé Abouba in October 2015.

Note 2:
In accordance with the organic law gazetted in November 2015 (Loi organique n°2014-71), the statutory number of members of the National Assembly has increased from 113 to 171. In October 2014 a modification to the 2000 electoral law (loi n° 2000-008) raised the gender quota, requiring the percentage of candidates-elect of each sex be more than 15%, as opposed to 10% previously.

Note 3:
Mr. Amadou was arrested in November 2015 on his return from exile in France over his alleged role in a baby-trafficking scandal, an allegation he strongly denies and insists is politically motivated.

Note 4:
The COPA 2016 includes the MODEN/FA-Lumana Africa and the National Movement for the Development of Society (MNSD) - Nassara of former Prime Minister Seyni Omar.