The provisional voter turnout for Algeria’s September 7 presidential election was reported at 48.03%.
Despite polling stations being largely empty on Saturday morning, election authorities extended voting by an hour, closing the polls at 8 p.m. local time. Hajj, one of the early voters in Algiers, stressed the importance of the election, saying, “This is about the future of our children and grandchildren. Many things will depend on it—hospitals, universities, purchasing power, the stability of the country. The president must have real popular support.”
Three candidates contested the election. Throughout the day, government officials and opposition candidates urged voters to cast their ballots. The turnout in the 2019 election was only 39.9%.
This election campaign, held during North Africa’s hot summer, was marked by widespread apathy. Algeria’s electoral authority, ANIE, stated that provisional results would be released within 48 hours. Although the candidates expressed satisfaction with the process, opposition leaders reported isolated incidents and filed complaints with ANIE.
Apathy and dissatisfaction were prevalent, with activists and organizations like Amnesty International criticizing the government’s continued prosecution of opposition figures, journalists, and civil society groups. Many labeled the election a mere formality designed to maintain the status quo. Former Hirak leader Hakim Addad, banned from politics three years ago, stated, “Algerians don’t care about this bogus election. The political crisis will persist as long as the regime remains in place.”
Of the 26 candidates who initially filed paperwork to run, only two were approved to challenge President Tebboune. Abdelali Hassani Cherif, head of the Islamist party Movement of Society for Peace, campaigned under the slogan “Opportunity!” and made populist appeals to Algerian youth. He thanked his opponents, calling it an important election for Algeria’s future.
Youcef Aouchiche, a former journalist running with the Socialist Forces Front, focused on human rights and political repression. This was the first time his party fielded a candidate since 1999. Voting in Kabylia, Aouchiche urged Algerians to break with the existing system to give hope to young people, referencing those who risk dangerous journeys across the Mediterranean to seek opportunities in Europe.