In Algeria, polling stations have closed as voters have cast their ballots to determine whether to grant President Abdelmadjid Tebboune another term in office. Tebboune, who is supported by the military, is expected to easily secure a win over two other candidates. The key focus now is on voter turnout, with Tebboune aiming not only to win but also to surpass the low turnout that marked his initial election victory in 2019. A win for Tebboune would likely strengthen the influence of Algeria’s ruling class.
As the nation anticipates Tebboune’s victory, he expressed his hopes for the future of democracy in Algeria regardless of the election outcome. The essential issue at hand is not just the election results, but rather the level of voter participation in this crucial decision.
Both Tebboune’s supporters and his challengers have called on Algerian citizens to actively participate in the voting process. Previous elections saw boycotts and significant abstention rates, undermining the government’s legitimacy. The hope is that a renewed engagement from the electorate will ensure a more robust mandate for the winning candidate.
