English: Mahamadou Issoufou (VOA photo- N. Colombant) "After voting, the opposition leader accused Mr. Tandja of using state funds for his campaign, intimidating village chiefs to garner support, and using state officials as campaign workers.

Mr. Issoufou says he believes the transparency of the voting in 2004 is much lower than in 1999, when elections were first held to replace military rule.

Mr. Issoufou also lost in the second round five years ago. He campaigned on anti-corruption themes, but won just a quarter of the vote in November's first round. He was unable to get the support of any major political leader outside his party." In 2011, Mahamadou Issoufou of the PNDS was elected President of Niger.