Niger told to hold free and fair elections

New York, 15 Jan – (ANA) - Members of a joint United Nations-African delegation have concluded their two-day visit to Niger by calling for the holding of free and fair legislative and presidential elections later this month.

 “The tripartite delegation encouraged the stakeholders to create the conditions

for free, transparent and uncontested elections which will restore

constitutional order in Niger,” the mission said in a communiqué issued in the

capital, Niamey.

 The visit by the Secretary-General’s Special Representative for West Africa,

Said Djinnit, African Union (AU) Peace and Security Commissioner Ramtane Lamamra and Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission Vice-President Jean de Dieu Somba was intended to assess efforts by the transitional authorities in organizing elections following last year’s coup and a recent wave of arrests.(ANA)

FA/ANA/15 January 2011-------