Algeria declares President Tebboune election winner with 95pc of vote

Algerian authorities announced that President Abdulmadjid Tebboune won the recent election with a commanding 95 percent of the vote, effectively avoiding a second round. However, this result has been challenged by rival candidate Abdelaali Hassani Cherif, who claimed irregularities in the voting process and noted that less than half of registered voters participated, with a turnout of only 48 percent. The other candidates, Youcef Aouchiche and Hassani Cherif, received 2 percent and 3 percent of the votes, respectively.

Hassani Cherif’s campaign alleged that polling station officials faced pressure to manipulate results and reported issues with delivering vote-sorting records to candidates. His spokesperson, Ahmed Sadok, criticized the process as a “farce” and claimed that their own figures indicated a significantly higher number of votes for Hassani Cherif than officially reported. However, the head of the electoral commission, Mohammed Charfi, defended the integrity of the election, stating that measures were taken to ensure transparency and fair competition.

Tebboune’s re-election suggests continuity in his administration’s focus on social spending, which has increased due to rising energy revenues since he took office in 2019. His administration has committed to enhancing unemployment benefits, pensions, and public housing initiatives, initiatives that were already bolstered during his first term.

Supporters like Ali, a café patron in the Ouled Fayet district of Algiers, expressed approval of Tebboune’s efforts to raise wages and maintain subsidies. In contrast, disillusioned voters, such as 24-year-old Slimane from the same area, refrained from voting, citing a lack of trust in politicians and a sense of disconnect from the ruling class.

Tebboune was first elected amid the “hirak” protests that led to the ousting of long-time president Abdulaziz Bouteflika. While the initial elections drew a turnout of only 40 percent, this latest election maintained a similarly low level of public engagement, reflecting ongoing public skepticism about the political establishment.

Despite Algeria’s strengthened position as a gas supplier following the global energy crisis, economic challenges persist, including high unemployment rates above 12 percent and rising inflation. Political analyst Farid Ferrari noted that the modest increase in voter turnout from 40 to 48 percent indicates a continuing divide between the government and the populace.

In terms of foreign policy, Tebboune’s track record has been mixed. Algeria remains a significant military power in the region but has faced challenges in its diplomatic efforts, particularly regarding Morocco’s influence in the Western Sahara dispute. While Algeria sought to join the expanded Brics group earlier this year, it was ultimately unsuccessful and instead joined the Brics development bank. Efforts to stabilize the Sahel region have also met with limited success, particularly in mediating conflicts in Niger.

Overall, while Tebboune’s administration aims to implement economic reforms and bolster social welfare, the ongoing political and economic challenges highlight the complexities of governance in Algeria.