Algerian regime exploits Sahrawis sequestered in Tindouf Camps in its sham presidential election

The Algeria-backed Polisario militiamen have received nearly 40,000 voter registration cards believed to be used in manipulating the voter turnout of the presidential election scheduled for Sep.07, according to Sahrawis sequestered in Tindouf camps.

During his campaign, President Abdelmajid Tebboune, who is seeking a second term, has reaffirmed his support for the Polisario which is losing ground, while Morocco’s is gaining a growing international support for its realistic autonomy plan offered for the Sahara under its the sovereignty.

To ensure the victory of the incumbent President, the Algerian junta sent Sahrawis voter register cards with 20 euros in cash bribe to buy their votes amid signs of mass popular boycott particularly in the Kabylie region and southern provinces.

In 2019, the presidential election saw a record low turnout of 39 pc, casting doubts over the legitimacy of Tebboune, whose re-election will strengthen further the power of Algeria’s political and military elite and further distance the country from the aspirations of the pro-democracy militants.

According to experts, Tebboune is expected to win a second five-year term due to backing from the Algerian military and several political parties, including the FLN, the National Democratic Rally, the El Bina Movement and El Moustakbal…

But his re-election is unlikely to help Algerians solve their deteriorating social, economic and political crisis in a heightening regional tension, making all Algeria’s neighbours and partners extremely concerned.