[3] Following the 1974 Nigerien coup d'état, a military council governed the nation without recourse to a Constitution until 1989, or a defined civilian element until 1982.
[citation needed] The constitution of December 1992 was created over more than a year, following the formation of the civilian National Conference to supersede semi-Military rule.
[4][5][6] Ratified on 26 December 1992, approved by referendum and enacted 22 January 1993, the Constitution created a dual executive system.
Coup leader and head of the National Reconciliation Council (CRN) Major Daouda Malam Wanké quickly announced its intention to promulgate a new constitution and institute a return to civilian rule.
Wanké announced that he would not run for the presidency and disqualified all military and security personnel, as well as all members of the transitional government from standing for election.
The CRN renounced any form of remuneration during the transition period and moved to reduce by half the salaries of future members of government.
A new constitution designed to spread power among the president, prime minister, and legislature was approved by referendum despite an extremely low voter turnout in July 1999.
As a reflection of Niger's increasing population, the unicameral National Assembly was expanded in 2004 to 113 deputies elected for a 5-year term under a majority system of representation.
It offered a Sixth Republic, with a fully presidential system, the suspension of the 1999 Constitution and a 3 years interim government with Tandja for president.