Low turnout haunts Algerian elections

One day ahead of Algeria’s presidential election, few people are expected to cast their ballot in an election in which Tebboune, the civilian façade of the military regime, is seeking re-election.

On the back of worsening economic conditions marked by double digit inflation, import restrictions leading to shortages of basic goods and endemic unemployment, turnout is expected to be lower than the previous election in which only some 39% of registered voters took part.

In some areas, like the breakaway Kabylie region, turnout was near zero.

Tebboune is poised to win a second term in a presidential race opposing him to moderate Islamist Abdelaali Hassani and socialist candidate Youssef Aouchiche.

Amid an electoral campaign marked by indifference of ordinary Algerians, the regime intensified its crackdown on opposition figures forcing Karim Tabbou to house arrest and banning him from any political activity.

It also kidnapped opposition figure and leader of Algeria’s communist party MDS Fethi Ghares, one of the most outspoken proponents of the pro-democracy protests known as the Hirak.

The Algerian regime is still thumbling at any call that would re-ignite calls for democracy following the example of the 2019 Hirak that prevented Bouteflika from a fifth term.