Union of Democratic and Progressive Patriots

The Union of Democratic and Progressive Patriots (commonly UPDP-Chamoua, (French)) is a centrist Nigerien political party, founded and led by André Salifou. The UPDP has only three times won a handful in the National Assembly of Niger since it formed prior to the 1993 elections. One three occasions these seats were held Professor Salifou, who is also chairman of the party.[1] Professor Salifou has also contested several elections for President of Niger under the banner of the UPDP-Chamoua.[2]

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Third Republic

The party was formed with many others on 15 November 1990, when political parties were legalized in the transition to the Third Republic.[3] André Salifou, its founder, had been provisional head of state during the transition to democratic rule in 1991, and was consequently barred from standing in the first Presidential elections of the Third Republic.[2]

In the 14 February 1993 National Assembly Election, the party won two seats, standing outside of coalitions. In the February/March 1993 Presidential Election, Illa Kané won 32,951 (2.55%) for the party in the first round.[4] The Party stood in opposition to the ARC coalition which governed from 1993 to 1995.[2]

In the 12 January 1995 National Assembly Election, the UPDP-Chamoua retained one seat, retained by Professor Salifou, from the Zinder constituency.[4][2]

Fourth Republic

In the 23 November 1996 National Assembly Election, boycotted by several large parties, UPDP-Chamoua won four seats, its best ever result.[4]

Fifth Republic

Standing in the first elections of the Fifth Republic, the Salifou won 39,641 votes (2.08%) in the first round of the October/November 1999 Presidential Election.[4] As of the 2004 legislative elections, the party has not retained a parliamentary seat since the 1996 election.[4] Following the election of Tandja Mamadou of the MNSD-Nassara as president, André Salifou has retained a number of appointed government posts.[5]

See also

References

  1. ^ Election Guide 2004:Niger. Accessed 2009-05-22
  2. ^ a b c d Jibrin Ibrahim and Abdoulayi Niandou Souley, "The rise to power of an opposition party: the MNSD in Niger Republic", Unisa Press, Politeia, Vol. 15, No. 3, 1996.
  3. ^ NIGER: Situation institutionnelle. Sory Baldé, CEAN, IEP-Université Montesquieu-Bordeaux IV. Accessed 2009-05-22.
  4. ^ a b c d e African Elections Database: Niger. Accessed 2009-05-22.
  5. ^ "Nominations: André Salifou, nommé représentant spécial d’ Amara Essy et Lansana Kouyaté, nommé représentant spécial de l’OIF pour la Côte d’Ivoire", Afrique Express, N° 264, February 17, 2003 (French).