Voting stations across Algeria closed Saturday night following a nationwide extension of one hour for the presidential election. Incumbent Abdelmadjid Tebboune, 78, is widely expected to secure a second term, with his main focus on achieving a high voter turnout.
As per media reports, polling stations were extended until 8:00 pm local time, an hour later than initially planned. This decision came as the electoral authority, ANIE, reported a turnout of 26 percent by 5:00 pm, compared to 33 percent at the same time during the 2019 elections.
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Tebboune faces opposition from moderate Islamist Abdelaali Hassani, 57, and socialist candidate Youcef Aouchiche, 41. The low turnout in 2019, which was over 60 percent, has been a key concern for Tebboune, who has aimed to boost participation this year.
“I came early to exercise my duty and choose the president of my country in a democratic manner,” said Sidali Mahmoudi, 65. Seghir Derouiche, 72, added that not voting was “ignoring one’s right,” while Taous Zaiedi, 66, and Leila Belgaremi, 42, expressed their intention to vote to “improve the country.”
After casting his vote in Algiers, Tebboune did not comment on voter turnout but expressed hope that “Algeria will win in any case.” He reiterated that the winner would continue the “New Algeria” project, a reference to the country’s path following mass pro-democracy protests.
Preliminary results may be available as soon as Saturday night, with official results expected by Sunday. Political commentator Mohamed Hennad had predicted Tebboune’s victory in advance, citing low support for his opponents and the “farce” of the electoral campaign conditions.
The 2019 elections saw a low turnout following the Hirak pro-democracy protests, which led to the ousting of former president Abdelaziz Bouteflika but were subsequently suppressed by increased policing and the jailing of protesters.
Analyst Hasni Abidi noted that Tebboune’s primary challenge was to ensure a significant turnout. The campaign has struggled to excite voters, partly due to the summer heat. With over half of Algeria’s 45 million population being young, all three candidates have focused on promises to improve living standards and reduce reliance on hydrocarbons.
Tebboune has highlighted economic achievements from his first term, including job creation and wage increases. In contrast, Aouchiche has promised to release prisoners of conscience and review restrictive laws, while Hassani has called for restoring diminished freedoms.
Political analyst Abidi suggested that Tebboune needs to address the significant deficit in political and media freedoms, noting that Algerians have largely disengaged from politics since the end of the Hirak protests. Rights group Amnesty International has reported that Algerian authorities maintain a “zero-tolerance approach towards dissenting opinions.”
