Niamey, Jan 21, 2020 – Niger’s election commission said Tuesday it had suspended a voter registration drive in a western border region buffeted by jihadist insurgents. The Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI) said because of security circumstances in the Tillaberi region, registration operations have been suspended in the districts of Abala, Tondikiwindi, Makalondi, Torodi, Gouroual, Diagourou, Inates and Banibangou. Voter registration was also suspended in Tillia, a district in the neighbouring region of Tahoua, it said on its website.
Registration “will resume as soon as circumstances allow,” it said, adding that its agents would be withdrawn from these zones for the time being. Western Niger is bearing the brunt of a jihadist revolt that has swept in
from neighbouring Mali and spread to Burkina Faso. Three attacks in Tillaberi in December and January, claimed by the Islamic State group, killed 174 soldiers, according to an official toll. More than 7,000 people have fled their homes, according to the UN’s High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).
The first round of presidential elections, coinciding also with a legislative ballot, is scheduled for December 27 this year. These will be preceded by municipal and regional elections, on November 1. According to UN figures, jihadist attacks in Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger left around 4,000 dead last year.
By AFP
