Algeria 2024 presidential election attracts 17 candidates

The upcoming Algerian presidential election scheduled for September 7, 2024, has attracted significant attention as 16 candidates, including the incumbent President Abdelmadjid Tebboune, have submitted their legal files to the independent electoral authority.

The authority has confirmed that out of the initial 35 candidates who declared their intention to run for president, 16 have completed the necessary documentation for the upcoming elections.

The electoral authority is currently in the process of reviewing the candidates’ files and is expected to provide final approval within seven days.

President Tebboune, who announced his intention to run for a second term, emphasized that his decision was supported by several political parties, including the National Liberation Front, Democratic National Rally, Future Front, and National Construction Movement.

In order to be eligible for candidacy, Algerian electoral law requires a candidate to submit either a list of 600 signatures from municipal, state, or parliamentary members across at least 29 provinces or a list of 50,000 signatures from eligible voters across the same number of provinces, with a minimum of 1,200 signatures in each province.

President Tebboune, who assumed office in 2019 following mass protests that led to the resignation of former president Abdelaziz Bouteflika, expressed gratitude to those who have supported his candidacy. “I filed my candidacy as stipulated by law,” Tebboune stated. “I thank all those who support me, parties, organizations, and citizens.”

In a surprising move, President Tebboune of Algeria announced in March that the upcoming election would be held on September 7, three months earlier than originally planned.

This decision, made without providing a reason, has sparked speculation and conversation among the people of the country, which is home to a population of approximately 45 million and is the largest country in Africa in terms of land area.

Algeria, known for its abundant reserves of hydrocarbons, serves as a key supplier of natural gas to neighboring countries such as Tunisia, Spain, and Italy.

Despite its economic significance, Algeria has faced criticism for its lack of press freedom, ranking 136 out of 180 countries in the World Press Freedom Index.

Additionally, human rights organizations have drawn attention to the government’s crackdown on peaceful dissent, with Amnesty International noting an escalation in repression five years after pro-democracy protests began.

Amidst this challenging political climate, candidates like Youcef Aouchiche from the Socialist Forces Front are navigating obstacles to submit their candidacy for the upcoming election.

Despite the difficulties, Aouchiche remains hopeful, emphasizing the resilience and determination of his party, which boasts a strong electoral base in the Kabylie region.

In Algeria, candidates running for office must meet specific criteria to qualify for the ballot. This includes presenting a list of at least 50,000 individual signatures from registered voters or garnering support from 600 members of at least 29 of the country’s provincial assemblies.

Following Louisa Hanoune’s withdrawal from the presidential race, only two female candidates, businesswoman Saida Neghza and lawyer Zoubida Assoul, remain in contention.

Neghza emphasized the importance of a transparent and fair electoral process during a press conference before officially submitting her candidacy. Meanwhile, Abdelaali Hassani, the leader of the Movement of Society for Peace (MSP), Algeria’s main Islamist party, was the first to submit his candidacy.

The final list of candidates for the election will be made public on July 27. The political landscape in Algeria is evolving as the country prepares for the upcoming election, with a diverse range of candidates vying for the top position.

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