NIAMEY, April 24 (Xinhua) -- Niger's National Transitional Council on Friday proposed holding the first round of presidential elections on Dec. 26, the first time an election date has ever been made public since the military coup in February.

The council made the proposal in its report to the government and the military junta, the Supreme Council for the Restoration of Democracy (CSRD), recommending a transition beginning from Feb. 18, 2010, when CSRD leader Salou Djibo toppled former president Mamadou Tandja in the coup.

According to the report, the proposal has taken into account the experiences of other transitional periods of 1996 (five months) and 1999 (nine months), the feasibility of launching an election process within 12 months and the eventual political interference in case of a long transition.

The proposed duration matched with a timetable which is specifically tailored with activities of organizing the next electoral cycle, the report said.

The National Transitional Council, among other things, proposed the forming of a National Independent Electoral Commission (CENI) on May 5, a referendum on a new constitution on Oct. 24 and its promulgation on Nov. 11.

The first round of presidential elections which will be coupled together with the legislative elections will be held on Dec. 26, and the second round which will be coupled with the municipal elections will be held on Jan. 26, 2011, marking the end of the transition.

The council also reported its activities including a clean-up drive in the management of public finances.

It said it would promote national reconciliation by organizing forums and a "Truth, Justice and Reconciliation commission."

To ensure the implementation of the timetable, the National Transitional Council recommended that CENI be provided with necessary means as soon as it is established.