Seven cleared for presidential race

Niger's State Court, equivalent to a constitutional court, has cleared seven candidates to run in presidential elections expected to end military rule in the landlocked West African country at the start of next year, according to news reports. The candidates include the former secretary-general of the Islamic Conference Organisation, Hamid Algabid, and ex-president Mahamane Ousmane (1993-1996). Algabid will be running on the ticket of the Rassemblement pour la democratie et le progres (RDP) and Ousmane is backed by his Convention democratique et sociale (CDS). Campaigning is due to begin on 26 September and close on 15 October. Parliamentary elections and -if needed- the second round of the presidential poll will take place on 24 November. Under this timetable, fashioned by the military junta that has ruled Niger since assassinating then president Ibrahim Bare Mainassara in April, a democratic government will be installed on 1 January 2000.