Tandja was constitutionally required to step down from office in December, as that was the end of his second five-year term in office, but the changes he made to the constitution allowed him to stay in office for three more years.
Tandja alihitajika kisheria kushuka kutoka ofisi mwezi Desemba, kwa kuwa huo ulikuwa mwisho wa kipindi chake cha pili cha miaka mitano madarakani, lakini mabadiliko aliyoyafanya kwenye katiba yalimruhusu kubaki madarakani kwa miaka mitatu zaidi.