Nigerien constitutional referendum, 1996
Encyclopedia
A constitutional referendum was held in Niger
on 12 May 1996. The new constitution
would restore multi-party democracy
after the military coup
earlier in the year had ousted elected President Mahamane Ousmane
.
It was approved by 92.34% of voters with a turnout of only around 35%. The first presidential elections
were held on 7-8 July, and saw a victory for coup leader Ibrahim Baré Maïnassara
.
Niger
Niger , officially named the Republic of Niger, is a landlocked country in Western Africa, named after the Niger River. It borders Nigeria and Benin to the south, Burkina Faso and Mali to the west, Algeria and Libya to the north and Chad to the east...
on 12 May 1996. The new constitution
Constitution of Niger
The Republic of Niger has had seven constitutions, two substantial constitutional revisions, and two periods of rule by decree since its independence from French colonial rule in 1960...
would restore multi-party democracy
Multi-party system
A multi-party system is a system in which multiple political parties have the capacity to gain control of government separately or in coalition, e.g.The Conservative-Liberal Democrat coalition in the United Kingdom formed in 2010. The effective number of parties in a multi-party system is normally...
after the military coup
1996 Nigerien coup d'état
The 1996 Nigerien coup d'état was a military coup d'état which occurred on 27 January 1996 in Niamey, Niger. It ousted Niger's first democratically-elected President, Mahamane Ousmane after nearly three years in power and installed General Ibrahim Baré Maïnassara as head of state...
earlier in the year had ousted elected President Mahamane Ousmane
Mahamane Ousmane
Mahamane Ousmane is a Nigerien politician. He was the first democratically elected and fourth President of Niger, serving from 16 April 1993 until his ouster in a military coup d'état on 27 January 1996. He has continued to run for President in each election since his ouster, and he was President...
.
It was approved by 92.34% of voters with a turnout of only around 35%. The first presidential elections
Nigerien presidential election, 1996
Presidential elections were held in Niger on 7 and 8 July 1996. It followed the approval of a new constitution in a referendum in May after a military coup had removed elected President Mahamane Ousmane in January...
were held on 7-8 July, and saw a victory for coup leader Ibrahim Baré Maïnassara
Ibrahim Baré Maïnassara
Colonel Ibrahim Baré Maïnassara was a military officer in the West African country of Niger who seized power in a January 1996 coup d'état and ruled the country until his assassination during the military coup of April 1999....
.
Results
| Choice | Votes | % |
|---|---|---|
| For | 92.34 | |
| Against | 7.66 | |
| Total | 100 |