The president of Algeria intends to renew his mandate after highly contested elections

Algerians voted on Saturday in an election that will decide whether the president Abdelmadjid Tebboune, backed by the Army, reissues mandate, five years after the pro-democratic protests led the military to overthrow the previous president after two decades in power.

Since Algeria announced the date of elections At the beginning of the year, there has been little uncertainty about the possible outcome. Although it is expected that Tebboune be named victoriousr, declared after voting that he hoped that “whoever wins will continue the path towards a point of no return in the construction of democracy.”

With vote counting underway Saturday night after the polls closed, the question turns to how many voters stayed home. Both Tebboune’s supporters and opponents They urged voters to go to the pollsafter boycotts and high abstention rates from previous elections undermine the government’s ability to claim popular support.

Empty polling stations

However, throughout the day, many polling stations in Algiers They were practically emptywith the exception of dozens of agents who guarded the voting stations.

The polling stations remained open until 9:00 p.m. on Saturday, after the authorities will extend the voting period amid concerns that people had not voted during the day in some parts of the country due to the heat. At 17:00, voter turnout was 26.5% in Algeria and 18.3% abroad.

Algeria is the largest country in Africa by area and, with almost 45 million inhabitants, it is the second most populated on the continent, after South Africawhich will hold presidential elections in 2024. It is also a year in which more than 50 elections around the worldwhich cover more than half of the world’s population.

The campaign – rescheduled earlier this year to take place during the hot north african summer– was characterized by population apathywhich continues to be plagued by the high cost of living and the drought that caused water shortages in some parts of the country.

‘Uncle Tebboune’, as his campaign framed the 78-year-old, was elected in December 2019 after almost a year of weekly demonstrations demanding the resignation of the former president Abdelaziz Bouteflika. His demands were met when Bouteflika resigned and was replaced by an interim government of his former allies, which called elections later in the year.

The protesters They opposed holding elections too soon, for fear that the candidates running that year were close to the old regime and would destroy the dreams of a State run by civilians and not the military.

Tebboune, former prime minister considered close to the militarywon. But his victory was marred by boycotts and riots on election day, during which crowds looted polling stations and police broke up demonstrations.

Throughout his tenure, Tebboune has used the oil and gas revenue to increase some social benefits – including unemployment insurance, as well as public salaries and pensions – in order to calm discontent. To consolidate his legitimacy, Tebboune hopes that in Saturday’s elections hMore than 24 million voters have participated.

Many of those who boycotted the last elections remain unconvinced that the elections will mark change. Activists and international organizations, including Amnesty Internationalhave denounced how the authorities continue persecuting members of opposition partiesmedia organizations and civil society groups.

Some have denounced these elections as an exercise in mere approval that can only entrench the ‘status quo’. “To the Algerians They don’t give a damn about these false elections“declared the former leader of Hirak Judge Addadwho was banned from participating in politics three years ago. “The political crisis will persist as long as the regime remains in place. The Hirak has spoken.”

Twenty-six candidates presented preliminary documentation to run for election, although only two were finally approved to challenge Tebboune. Without being political novices, they avoided directly criticizing Tebboune in the campaign and, like the current president, emphasized participation.

Other candidates in the elections in Algeria

Abdelali Hassani Sherifhead of the Islamist Society Movement for Peace (MSP) party, made populist appeals to Algerian youth, presenting himself with the slogan ‘Opportunity!’. Youcef Aouchicheformer journalist, candidate of the Front of Socialist Forces (FFS).

ADVERTISING

Both candidates and their parties risked losing the support of potential supporters who thought they were selling out by contributing to the idea that The elections were democratic.

Walking near a voting center in the center of Algiers, Mhand Kasdi, A long-time FFS supporter, he said his party had betrayed its ideals by fielding a candidate for the first time since 1999.

“A rigged election”

“He is giving his support to some rigged elections“said a gas station manager, adding that Aouchiche and Hassani “They are going to help the regime’s candidate look good.”

In the elections held on Saturday in his hometown, Aouchiche asked Algerians to vote for him “to give young people the confidence necessary to put an end to the desperation that drives them to take the boats of death in an attempt to reach the other side of the Mediterranean“, in reference to many of those who choose to emigrate to Europe in search of opportunities instead of staying at home.

ADVERTISING

Andrew Farranddirector for the Middle East and North Africa of the geopolitical risk consultancy Horizon Engage, said that both candidates were aiming more at the 2025 legislative elections than to the presidential elections in 2024. Since Algerian law funds political parties based on the number of seats they win in legislative elections, they hope the campaign will position them for a good performance in 2025.

“It’s a long-term game: How can I mobilize my base? How can I create a campaign machine? And how can I gain the sympathy of the authorities to be in a position to increase my seats?” he says. “We have seen it in his decision not to openly criticize the presidentalong with a very strong message to Algerians to go vote.