Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune secures re-election amid turnout concerns

Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune has been re-elected for a second term with an overwhelming 94.65% of the vote, according to the country’s electoral authority, ANIE. Despite this decisive victory, concerns about voter turnout and transparency have surfaced.

ANIE chief Mohamed Charfi announced Sunday that of the 5.63 million voters recorded, 5.32 million cast their ballots for Tebboune, who ran as an independent. However, the electoral body did not disclose the final turnout rate, which was a significant point of focus in an election where Tebboune’s re-election was widely expected.

Tebboune’s primary challengers were moderate Islamist Abdelaali Hassani and socialist Youcef Aouchiche, who secured minimal support compared to the incumbent. The election’s transparency was praised by Charfi, who lauded the “electoral maturity” of the Algerian people, but the lack of clarity on voter participation has left many skeptical.

In 2019, Tebboune was elected amid mass protests from the Hirak pro-democracy movement and a record abstention rate of over 60%. He had hoped to boost voter turnout this time around, aiming to legitimize his leadership with a more active electorate.

However, ANIE’s provisional data suggested an “average turnout” of 48%, which fell short of the desired increase. Voting was extended by one hour, but even with this extension, participation remained lower than anticipated. By 5 p.m. local time, ANIE had reported a 26% turnout, significantly less than the 33% turnout seen by the same time in 2019.

Hassani’s campaign quickly expressed doubts about the provisional figures, calling the turnout “strange” and alleging attempts to manipulate the results. Meanwhile, Tebboune’s supporters emphasize that his victory reflects widespread support for his leadership and economic reforms.

As the country moves forward, Tebboune will face the challenge of addressing the concerns raised by his opponents and the broader population, particularly in the context of lingering economic hardships and a push for deeper democratic reforms.