NIGER: Junta wants presidents with degrees

30 May 2010

Niger's military rulers have suggested that only those with a university degree should be allowed to run in presidential elections, reports BBC News. Candidates would also have to be under 70 years old.

The reforms have been proposed by a Consultative Council set up by the military after it overthrew ex-President Mamadou Tandja in February. Opposition groups have criticised the proposal, saying it excludes much of the population, which is highly illiterate.

The council said making it obligatory for presidential candidates to have a university degree would help bring Niger into the world of international business and aid development in one of the poorest countries on the planet.
Full report on the BBC News site

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