Algerians vote today to elect their president

Today, 24 million Algerians head to the polls to elect their future president from three candidates representing different political ideologies.

This election is being held under the oversight of the National Independent Authority for Elections (ANIE), which was founded in 2019 to guarantee transparency in the electoral process. The official campaign slogan, ‘Help consolidate the democratic electoral path,’ aims to encourage high voter turnout.

The Three Candidates

The incumbent president, Abdelmadjid Tebboune, 78, is running as an independent. Often portrayed as the ‘candidate of the people,’ he vows an ‘economic renaissance’ for Algeria and aims to accomplish a GDP of $400 billion by 2027. With a background rooted in Algerian nationalism, Tebboune is supported by various parties and organizations, including major political forces in parliament.

Abdelali Hassani Chérif, 58, is the candidate of the country’s largest Islamist party, the Movement of Society for Peace (MSP). A civil engineer, Chérif became the party’s president in 2023. His political platform concentrates on constitutional reforms and positioning Algeria as a key international player.

Youssef Ouchich, 42, represents the Front des Forces Socialistes, a historic party of the Algerian left. His platform advocates for extensive reforms to enhance decentralization and civil liberties, along with economic policies aimed at doubling earnings and strengthening the middle class.

Voter Mobilization

Algeria’s 24 million eligible voters can cast their ballots from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. The voter turnout, crucial to the election’s legitimacy, is a key concern for all three candidates.

Campaigns underscored the significance of this election for the country’s future, particularly in terms of political and economic reform. Around 865,000 Algerians living abroad began voting on Monday, while Bedouins and nomads in remote areas started voting on Wednesday through mobile polling stations.

Election Supervision by ANIE

ANIE, created as part of post-Hirak reforms, is responsible for securing the integrity of the electoral process. Its establishment represents a departure from the previous system where the government directly controlled elections.

Participation in Tunisia

For the Algerian community in Tunisia, Tunisian authorities played an important role in facilitating the electoral process.

They provided infrastructure through the Algerian embassy and consulates to ensure smooth voting. A high voter turnout is expected in Tunisia, where many Algerians are set to vote today.”