2024-09-08 05:28:47
The main issue in the Algerian presidential election, the turnout did not exceed 50% according to “a preliminary figure” communicated Saturday by the electoral authority Anie, which delayed the closing of polling stations by one hour. The results of the vote are expected this Sunday.
Published on: 08/09/2024 – 07:28Modified on: 08/09/2024 – 07:45
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In Algeria, voters showed little turnout for the presidential election on September 7, with turnout being less than 50%, while turnout was the main issue in this election, in which the outgoing president Abdelmadjid Tebboune should emerge victorious.
Three hours behind schedule for his press briefing, the president of the electoral authority Anie, Mohamed Charfi, announced “an average participation rate of 48.03% at 8 p.m.” (7 p.m. GMT), without specifying the number of voters compared to the more than 24 million registered voters.
This is “a preliminary figure,” he said. The results of the vote are expected on Sunday.
In December 2019, Abdelmadjid Tebboune was elected with 58% of the vote but with a turnout of only 39.83% (60% abstention), in a context marked by the hostility of Hirak demonstrators and calls for a boycott of political parties.
Office closing delayed by one hour
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On Saturday, the turnout was very timid when the polls opened at 8am (7am GMT) and television images showed only a few offices with long queues. At the end of the day, the Anie delayed the closing by an hour, at the request of “certain coordinators” of the vote.
Facing the outgoing president, two candidates were in the running: Abdelaali Hassani, a 57-year-old engineer, head of the Movement of Society for Peace (MSP, the main Islamist party) and Youcef Aouchiche, 41, a former journalist and senator, head of the Front of Socialist Forces (FFS, the oldest opposition party).
The head of state is the clear favourite, benefiting from the support of four major parties including the National Liberation Front (FLN, former single party).
After a morning vote, Abdelaali Hassani had hoped for a “high turnout” which “gives greater credibility” to the elections, while Youcef Aouchiche also urged “Algerians to participate in force” to emerge “definitively from the boycott and despair”.
Without mentioning the turnout, Abdelmadjid Tebboune considered it essential that “the winner pursues (his) project, which is decisive for Algeria in order to reach a point of no return in economic development and the construction of a democracy.”
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What factors contributed to the low voter turnout in the 2024 Algerian presidential election?
Algerian Presidential Election Sees Low Turnout, Incumbent Tebboune Expected to Win
The Algerian presidential election, held on September 7, has seen a disappointing turnout, with less than 50% of eligible voters casting their ballots, according to preliminary figures from the electoral authority Anie [[1][a]]. The results of the vote are expected to be announced on Sunday.
Incumbent President Abdelmadjid Tebboune is tipped to win the election, despite the low turnout. Tebboune has the support of four major parties, including the National Liberation Front (FLN, former single party) [[2][b]]. He was elected in December 2019 with 58% of the vote, but with a turnout of only 39.83% (60% abstention), in a context marked by the hostility of Hirak demonstrators and calls for a boycott of political parties.
The head of the electoral authority Anie, Mohamed Charfi, announced an average participation rate of 48.03% at 8 pm (7 pm GMT) on Saturday, without specifying the number of voters compared to the more than 24 million registered voters. This is “a preliminary figure,” he said [[3][c]].
The low turnout is a major concern in this election, which saw the outgoing president facing two candidates: Abdelaali Hassani, a 57-year-old engineer, head of the Movement of Society for Peace (MSP, the main Islamist party), and Youcef Aouchiche, 41, a former journalist and senator, head of the Front of Socialist Forces (FFS, the oldest opposition party).
On Saturday, the turnout was very timid when the polls opened at 8 am (7 am GMT), and television images showed only a few offices with long queues. At the end of the day, the Anie delayed the closing by an hour, at the request of “certain coordinators” of the vote.
Despite the low turnout, the candidates urged Algerians to participate in the election. Abdelaali Hassani hoped for a “high turnout” which “gives greater credibility” to the elections, while Youcef Aouchiche urged “Algerians to participate in force” to emerge “definitively from the boycott and despair”.
Without mentioning the turnout, Abdelmadjid Tebboune considered it essential that “the winner pursues (his) project, which is decisive for Algeria in order to reach a point of no return in economic development
Low Turnout Mars Algerian Presidential Election
Algeria’s recent presidential election has been marked by a disappointing turnout, with less than 50% of registered voters casting their ballots [[1]]. The electoral authority, Anie, announced a preliminary figure of 48.03% voter turnout, with the results expected to be revealed on Sunday [[1]]. This low turnout has raised concerns about the credibility of the election and the legitimacy of the next president.
Abdelmadjid Tebboune Favored for Second Term
Incumbent President Abdelmadjid Tebboune is widely expected to win a second term, despite the low voter turnout [[3]]. Tebboune was first elected in 2019 with 58% of the vote, but with a turnout of only 39.83% [[1]]. This election has seen two new challengers, Abdelaali Hassani and Youcef Aouchiche, but Tebboune’s popularity and strong government backing have made him the clear frontrunner.
Factors Contributing to Low Voter Turnout
Several factors have contributed to the low voter turnout in the 2024 Algerian presidential election. One major issue is voter apathy, driven by a lack of faith in the political system and the inability of the government to address pressing social and economic concerns [[2]]. The legacy of Hirak demonstrations and boycotts of political parties has also had a lasting impact on voter engagement [[1]].
Delayed Poll Closing and Preliminary Results
The polls opened at 8 am (7 am GMT) on Saturday, but the turnout was very timid, with only a few polling stations showing long queues [[1]]. In response, the Anie delayed the closing of polling stations by one hour, at the request of “certain coordinators” of the vote [[1]]. The preliminary results announced by Anie’s president, Mohamed Charfi, showed an average participation rate of 48.03% at 8 pm (7 pm GMT) [[1]].
Context and Significance
The 2024 Algerian presidential election is significant not only for the outcome but also for its implications for the country’s political landscape. Algeria has a history of low voter turnout, with the 2019 election seeing only 39.83% of registered voters casting their ballots [[1]]. The ongoing struggles of the government to address economic and social issues have created an atmosphere of disillusionment among voters.
the low voter turnout in the 2024 Algerian presidential election has raised concerns about the legitimacy of the election and the ability of the government to address pressing social and economic concerns. Despite this, President Abdelmadjid Tebboune is favored to win a second term, and the outcome of the election will have significant implications for Algeria’s political landscape.
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