Ruling party candidate Mohamed Bazoum will face former president Mahamane Ousmane in the presidential runoff elections in February. According to the provisonal results announced by electoral commission, Bazoum led the first round with 39.33%, falling well short of the required 50% + 1 votes. Ousmane came second with 17% of the votes.

Former Prime Ministers, Seini Oumarou and Albade Abouba respectively got 8.95 and 7.07 percents of the total ballots. 

The run-offs is expected to take place in February 21 after the first round of election results have been validated by constitutional court, which will hear appeals, if any.

Bazoum has been  been both interior and foreign minister. He campaigned on promises of improved security and education and had hoped to clinch victory in the first round.

Nigerian Party for Democracy and Socialism, current ruling party, has also been leading in the legislative elections with 80 out of 165 seats, five diaspora seats are yet to be decided.

Current President of Niger, Mahamadou Issoufou, has decided to step down after two five year terms,which is expected to lead West African Country's transfer of power with between two democratically elected presidents.