Voters in Niger are going to the polls Sunday to elect a new parliament and to decide whether the president will receive a second five-year term.

Mahamadou Issoufou is running with a promise to crush Islamist militants and develop one of the poorest countries in the world.

“I hope that these elections proceed calmly and peacefully,” Issoufou said. “In any case, there will only be one winner, and that is Niger.”

Some 14 other candidates are running against Issoufou for the presidency including Seyni Oumarou, leader of an opposition coalition.

“It feels as though a duty has been accomplished with the electoral process,” Oumarou said. “It is the end of this process, and we believe that God will help us today so that these legislative and presidential elections proceed in peace and serenity in order for the best to win.”

WATCH: Related video of voters in Niger

Other opposition candidates include Hama Amadou, who has been detained on charges related to a baby-trafficking ring.

Critics of Issoufou say the leader has used political repression in the run-up to the vote, arresting opposition supporters, politicians, journalists and even a singer who released a song critical of him.

Issoufou told the French news agency AFP he is “absolutely” sure he will win the election and predicted a runoff would not be needed.

Niger is one of the world’s poorest nations.

Some material for this report came from AP, AFP and Reuters.
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