20110314
xinhua

NIAMEY, March 14 (Xinhua) -- Niger's opposition leader Mahamadou Issoufou won in the presidential run-off, the election commission (CENI) said on Monday.

According to the provisional results published by CENI, the 59-year-old candidate of the PNDS-Tarayya garnered 1,820,639 votes, or 57.95 percent of the tally in Saturday's election.

His 60-year-old rival Seini Oumarou, the candidate of the MNSD-Nassara and former prime minister, secured 1,321,248 votes, or 42. 04 percent of the total.

The results have been submitted to the Constitutional Council of Transition, which has 15 days to validate and definitely proclaim the outcome.

The CENI president hailed "the satisfactory mobilization" of Nigerien voters who have accomplished their work in serenity. He also expressed appreciation of support given by the authorities of transition and partners in different elections organized in Niger.

An estimated 3,141,248 eligible voters cast their ballots in the second round, representing a turnout of 48.17 percent, slightly lower than 50 percent in the first round.

The West African country held the first round of election on Jan. 31 to end the political crisis following a military coup in February 2010.

The military junta toppled former president Mamadou Tandja, accusing him of revising the constitution and seeking the extension of power after serving two terms.

Under the international pressure for a return of democracy and the constitutional order, the junta promised to hold a presidential vote to end the crisis after a period of transition.