Algeria Election: Low Turnout Despite Government Paid Holiday
Vote counting got underway in Algeria on Thursday night following parliamentary elections that were overshadowed by cost-of-living concerns and the exclusion of candidates critical of the government.
The government declared Thursday a paid national holiday in a bid to encourage participation, but polling stations appeared quiet for much of the day.
By mid-afternoon, voter turnout was very low following a campaign that attracted limited public interest amid what rights groups say is shrinking political freedoms.
Political Significance
Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebbounepresented the polls as another step towards renewing the country’s political institutions. He came to power in 2019 after mass protests led to the ousting of long-time president Abdelaziz Bouteflika.
Many observers say they expect neither a change in power nor a fundamental shift in the country’s political system.
Concerns and Criticism
Human rights groups have raised concerns over restrictions on opposition activity, the independent media, and civil society, a criticism rejected by the authorities.
The outgoing pro-government coalition holds around 300 seats in the 407-seat parliament, while the second-largest political force, the Islamist Movement of Society for Peace (MSP), has 64 seats.
Some MSP candidates were among 269 people barred from running, a list that also included former leaders and activists of the Hirak pro-democracy movement.
