"The holding of the elections is a clear move by the authorities in
Turnout for the election was patchy after the opposition called for a boycott of the vote.
Tandja’s second term in office was due to expire this year but he defied domestic and international pressure and extended his mandate for a further three years and increased his presidential powers at the expense of parliament’s.
"I hope for my people’s sake that those elected will be true patriots," the retired army colonel, who says he must stay to oversee lucrative infrastructure projects, said as he voted.
The White House urged ECOWAS to impose a full set of sanctions against the country. "We urge ECOWAS to move toward the immediate imposition of full sanctions given President Tandja’s non-compliance with the ECOWAS request to suspend legislative elections," White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said in a statement.
Source: Africanews