Niger election: Issoufou, Oumarou and Amadou favourites

BBC News, 31 January 2011 

There are long queues for Niger's first election since a military coup ousted Mamadou Tandja a year ago.

Hama Amadou and Seini Oumarou have promised to
back each if a run-off is needed

The BBC's Idy Baraou in the capital, Niamey, says everything seems to be going smoothly so far, amid tight security.

Longtime opposition leader Mahamadou Issoufou and former Prime Ministers Seini Oumarou and Hama Amadou are seen as favourites.

Mr Tandja was ousted after being widely criticised for seeking a third term.

Earlier this month, he was moved from house arrest to prison and accused of corruption.

Mr Oumarou and Mr Amadou both served as prime ministers under Mr Tandja.

They have promised to back whichever one of them qualifies for the second round.

A candidate needs more than 50% of the vote to be elected in the first round and a run-off is seen as likely.

A new constitution was passed in a referendum in October. This reduces the powers of future presidents and limits them to two terms in office.

Niger is one of the world's poorest countries but has large deposits of uranium in the north, under the Sahara Desert.