Algeria’s presidential election, which was expected to secure President Abdelmadjid Tebboune a second term, has become mired in controversy after Tebboune himself raised doubts about the vote count, echoing fraud allegations made by his opponents.
The National Independent Election Authority (ANIE) reported a turnout of only 5.6 million voters out of nearly 24 million, sparking questions about the legitimacy of the results.
Initial figures, later retracted, indicated a 48% turnout, leading opposition candidates Abdelali Hassani Cherif and Youcef Aouchiche to allege fraud and coercion of poll workers.
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In a surprising turn, Tebboune’s own campaign criticized ANIE for its “inaccuracies and contradictions,” lending credibility to the challengers’ accusations.
Algeria’s constitutional court will soon review appeals from the two challengers, who have called the election “a masquerade.”
Tebboune, initially seen as a reformer, has faced widespread criticism from domestic and international rights groups for authoritarian measures. He has been in office since December 2019, having won the presidency after the pro-democracy “Hirak” protests that ousted former President Abdelaziz Bouteflika.
Many Algerians view voting as an endorsement of a corrupt system. The former leader of the Hirak movement described the 2024 election as “bogus.”
Former Hirak leader Hakim Addad, who has been barred from politics for three years, said, “Algerians don’t give a damn about this bogus election. The political crisis will persist as long as the regime remains in place. The Hirak has spoken.”
As Algeria faces rising living costs and growing unrest, the credibility of its electoral institutions is under intense scrutiny. Analysts suggest Tebboune’s decision to challenge the results may signal divisions within the ruling elite.