2009 Algerian presidential election
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Member State of the African Union Member State of the Arab League |
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A presidential election was held in Algeria on 9 April 2009.
Removal of term limit
The Council of Ministers announced on 3 November 2008 that a planned constitutional revision would remove the two-term limit on the Presidency that was previously included in Article 74, thereby enabling President Abdelaziz Bouteflika to run for a third term.[1] The People's National Assembly endorsed the removal of the term limit on 12 November 2008; only the Rally for Culture and Democracy (RCD) voted against its removal.[2]
Candidates
Thirteen candidates had submitted papers to contest the election, but only six were approved:[3]
- Abdelaziz Bouteflika: current president, supported by coalition of National Liberation Front and National Rally for Democracy
- Louisa Hanoune: candidate of the Trotskyist Workers' Party (PT)
- Moussa Touati: candidate of the Algerian National Front (FNA)
- Mohammed Said: independent candidate (Party of Justice and Liberty)
- Djahid Younsi: candidate of the Movement for National Reform
- Ali Fawzi Rebaine: candidate of the Ahd 54
Although some urged former President Liamine Zéroual to run, he said in a published statement on 14 January 2009 that he would not, while also suggesting that it was not in the best interests of democracy for President Bouteflika to run for a third term.[4]
RCD President Saïd Sadi announced on 15 January 2009 that the RCD would not participate in the election, which he described as a "pathetic and dangerous circus", saying that to participate "would be tantamount to complicity in an operation of national humiliation".[2]
Bouteflika announced his independent candidacy for a third term at a rally in Algiers on 12 February 2009,[5] and he officially submitted his candidacy on 23 February, shortly before the deadline.[6]
Results
Template:Algerian presidential election, 2009
The official turnout was disputed by the opposition, some claiming a turnout as low as 16%.[7] Informal US Embassy observations placed it at "25-30 percent at most."[8]
References
- ^ "Algérie: vers la suppression de la limitation des mandats présidentiels", AFP, 3 November 2008 Template:Fr icon.
- ^ a b "Algerian opposition pulls out of 'pathetic' presidential vote", AFP, 15 January 2009.
- ^ "Algerian poll contenders unveiled", BBC, 3 March 2009.
- ^ William Maclean, "Algeria ex-leader will not run for top job", Reuters (IOL), 14 January 2009.
- ^ "Bouteflika seeks third term in office", Reuters (IOL), 12 February 2009.
- ^ "Algerian president submits candidacy", AFP, 23 February 2009.
- ^ Rachad: 16 % was the real participation rate in the elections of 9 April 2009
- ^ Wikileaks: 09ALGIERS370