Amidst political and economic turmoil, voters struggling to find their representatives may boycott the June 12th legislative elections. The elections originally scheduled to hold in 2022, were brought forward by Algerian officials.
Announced on 11 March by President Tebboune following the dissolution of the People’s National Assembly (ANP) on 22 February, these elections will be closely monitored by Algerian and international political observers as well as by the denizens themselves, who have been mobilised for more than two years as part of the popular Hirak movement.
Many observers say this is a move by the government to regain control as the Hirak movement return to the streets, entering its second year of demonstrations.
Most of the information panels in Algiers are empty. There are 34 seats to be filled in the capital city while many leaders of the movement remain detained.
The regime is keen on carrying out its plans, without addressing the demands of protesters. This, in spite of two failed attempts at mobilising voters in the 2019 presidential elections and in the 2020 referendum.
Apart from the election result, the turnout rate that will be scrutinised by the Algerian population may be lower than is required by the constitution.
It is in part, why, the opposition and some movements that emerged from the Hirak call for a boycott of these snap legislative elections
The country has also made a partial reopening of its skies to commercial flights after 14 months of a shutdown to try to keep out the coronavirus.
The first flight of the national carrier, Air Algérie, took off for Paris on Tuesday and arrived later in the Algerian capital, Algiers. In spite of the reopening, flights are limited and in strict covid-19 health compliance for passengers.