Key facts
- Algerians are participating in parliamentary elections.
- Cost of living concerns and candidate bans are major issues.
- The electoral authority disqualified candidates based on an anti-corruption law.
- Voter turnout is a significant concern, with efforts to boost participation.
- The ruling majority, led by the FLN party, is seeking to reinforce Algeria's domestic position.
Algerians are casting ballots in parliamentary elections, with widespread concern over the rising cost of living and the disqualification of numerous candidates challenging the government. The election is taking place under a government that has increasingly restricted political, media, and union freedoms since 2019.
Nearly 25 million voters are eligible to choose 407 members of the lower house of Parliament from a pool of 1,235 candidates. Voter turnout is a significant concern, prompting the government to declare a paid national holiday to encourage participation. Many citizens appear more preoccupied with daily economic struggles and deteriorating public services than with the electoral process.
The outgoing pro-government majority, which holds about 300 seats, is seeking a strong turnout to bolster Algeria's domestic standing amidst geopolitical challenges. The Islamist MSP party is the second-largest political force with 64 deputies. Some candidates from the MSP were among the 269 aspirants disqualified by the electoral authority, which cited alleged links to illicit financial networks and suspicious political activities. Former leaders and activists from the Hirak pro-democracy movement were also barred.
The electoral authority defended its decisions, stating that nearly 70% of candidacies were accepted and that the disqualifications were based on an anti-corruption law. However, affected candidates argue the law is being unfairly applied for political reasons, with one legislator calling it a "weapon of mass exclusion." The voting for the diaspora, numbering over 854,000 registered voters, took place over the weekend, with high participation reported, particularly in France.
Campaigning has adapted to low engagement, with parties and independent candidates opting for grassroots meetings in local communities. The opposition Workers' Party is focusing on issues like increased pensions and wages, while the Rally for Culture and Democracy (RCD) advocates for political prisoner releases and press freedom, urging citizens not to boycott the elections.