Niger's presidential candidate Mohamed Bazoum speaks to media outside the polling station after voting during Niger's election run-off, in Niamey on Feb 21, 2021. (ISSOUF SANOGO / AFP)

DAKAR - Niger’s ruling party candidate Mohamed Bazoum has taken a small early lead in the second round of the West African nation’s presidential election, data released by the electoral commission showed on Monday.

ALSO READ: Niger votes in search of first democratic transition

The provisional results from 38 out of a total 266 constituencies showed Bazoum was leading his challenger, former president Mahamane Ousmane, winning a 54.1 percent share of votes counted so far.