Algeria Elections 2024: All you need to know

Algeria is set to hold its presidential elections on Saturday, September 7, 2024, with over 24 million registered voters expected to participate. Incumbent President Abdelmajid Tebboune, who has been at the helm of affairs in the oil-rich North African country since 2019 is seeking reelection for a second term, amidst stiff competition from two other candidates.

The presidential elections, originally slated for December 2024, was rescheduled to September 2025 by the country's president. According Tebboune, moving the election date to September will allow increased participation and a higher voter turnout. The previous 2019 election recorded an abysmal voter turnout of 40%.

As the election approaches, the African Elections Project (AEP) is closely monitoring key campaign issues that are making headlines. This article explores some of these critical issues, including the country’s electoral system and the key concerns of voters.

(African Elections Project)

Presidential Candidates

Sixteen (16) candidates had initially filed to contest for the presidency, however, only three candidates, including Tebboune, were approved by the National Independent Authority for Elections (ANIE). The other two candidates contesting Tebboune are Youcef AOUCHICHE of the Socialist Forces Front and Abdelaali Hassani Cherif of the Movement for Society for Peace. The remaining 13 candidates had their candidacies rejected after failing to secure at least 50,000 signatures from registered voters or submit a list of 600 signatures of municipal, state, or parliamentary members in at least 29 provinces required by the new elections law to support their candidature. This has led to allegations of undemocratic practices from opposition parties, who claim that the election management body’s actions is an attempt to favor the status quo.

Electoral System

The president is elected directly by an absolute majority vote, with up to two rounds of voting. The president can serve up to two five-year terms and holds the authority to appoint the Prime Minister. The president is the Head of state and the Prime Minister is the Head of Government.

The legislative branch consists of two main bodies:

The Council of the Nation: This chamber has 170 members, though it can expand to 174. Of these, 114 members are elected indirectly through an electoral college, while the remaining 56 are appointed by the president. Members serve six-year terms, with half of them being elected every three years.

The National People’s Assembly: This body comprises 407 members who are directly elected through an open-list proportional representation vote. It includes 8 representatives of the Algerian diaspora. Members serve five-year terms.

Who can contest the presidency?

According to the country’s Constitution, to be eligible for the Presidency of the Republic, the candidate shall:

1. not have acquired a foreign nationality
2. possess solely native Algerian nationality and certify that both the father and mother hold native Algerian nationality
3. be Muslim
4. be forty (40) years old on election day
5. enjoy full civil and political rights
6. prove the exclusive native Algerian nationality of the spouse
7. justify a permanent residence only in Algeria for a minimum of ten (10) years preceding the submission of the candidacy
8. justify his participation in the Revolution of 1 November 1954 for the candidates born before July 1942
9. justify the non-involvement of the parents of the candidate born after July 1942, in hostile acts against the Revolution of 1st November 1954
10. submit a public declaration of his movable and immovable property, both inside and outside Algeria

Key challenges for voters 

Several critical issues dominate the election discourse. The most pressing concerns include the country's economic challenges, human rights issues, and corruption, among others. The country’s economic challenges have largely dwelled on the fluctuating prices of oil, which have historically been the country’s major source of revenue generation.

Also, Algeria’s electoral environment has been characterized by active suppression of independent media, as many journalists who criticize the government are arrested.

Given these circumstances, voters might be looking for a leader who can not only stabilize the economy and improve educational opportunities but also promote greater transparency and respect for democratic freedoms. Addressing these concerns holistically would be crucial for addressing both immediate needs and fostering long-term stability and growth in Algeria.

When will results be declared?

Results of the presidential election is declared by the country’s Constitutional Court within seventy-two hours after votes are received from around the country and overseas.  

Political parties or candidates who disagree with the results have up to 48 hours to file a complaint with the Constitutional Court, which is mandated to resolve electoral disputes.

Follow the Algeria Presidential Election on Twitter and Facebook on @Africanelection