Niger's ruling party candidate Mohamed Bazoum will face former president Mahamane Ousmane in a presidential election runoff in February.
According to provisional results of the first round announced by the electoral commission on Saturday Bazoum led with 39.33% of the vote, falling short of the 50% needed to win outright in the first round WHILE Ousmane received 17% of the vote.
The second round is expected to be held on the 21st of February after the results of the first round have been validated by the constitutional court which will hear any appeals.
Niger's President Mahamadou Issoufou is stepping down after two five-year terms, which is expected to lead to Niger's first transfer of power between two democratically elected presidents.
