Niger Election Peaceful- Commission

Niger Election Peaceful- Commission
Godwin Ukaa, Niamey

Niger 's military leader, General Salou Djibo has described the country's presidential and parliamentary election as a "new beginning.

The election on Monday, which the election commission reported to have passed peacefully, was designed to restore a civilian government after a year of military rule in the West African country.

Monday's balloting was expected to be a first round presidential poll with a runoff to be held in March. 

VON correspondent reports that the results so far from Independent National Electoral Commission , CENI, shows that the presidential candidate of the PNDS-Taraya party, Mahamadou Issoufou is leading with a wide margin.

The MNSD-Nassara party candidate, Seini Oumarou is coming second.

Ten contestants are vying for the presidential post while 113 Parliamentary seats are being contested for by Nigeriens.

Meanwhile, the electoral body has cancelled seventeen ballot boxes said to have been hijacked by unidentified gun men.

General Djibo led last February military coup that toppled President Mamadou Tanjda after he forced through constitutional changes to expand his powers and extend his rule. 

Former President Tanjda is now in prison on corruption charges during his 10 years in power.

Niger is one of the world's top uranium producers and has been plagued with coups and unrest since winning independence from France in 1960. This is the third time since 1993 that Niger is attempting to install a civilian government after a period of military rule.

With additional report from VOA/Margaret/Yinka