Algerian presidential election, 2009
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9 April 2009
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A presidential election was held in Algeria on 9 April 2009. It was described in a US Embassy in Algiers cable as "carefully choreographed and heavily controlled", with the official turnout figure "exaggerated".[1]
Removal of term limit[edit]
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.[2] 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.[3]
Candidates[edit]
Thirteen candidates had submitted papers to contest the election, but only six were approved:[4]
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.[5]
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".[3]
Bouteflika announced his independent candidacy for a third term at a rally in Algiers on 12 February 2009,[6] and he officially submitted his candidacy on 23 February, shortly before the deadline.[7]
Results[edit]
e • d Summary of the 9 April 2009 Algerian presidential election results
| Candidates and parties |
votes |
% |
|
Abdelaziz Bouteflika – National Liberation Front |
12,911,705 |
90.24 |
|
Louisa Hanoune – Workers' Party |
604,258 |
4.22 |
|
Moussa Touati – Algerian National Front |
330,570 |
2.31 |
|
Djahid Younsi – Movement for National Reform |
176,674 |
1.37 |
|
Ali Fawzi Rebaine – Ahd 54 |
133,129 |
0.93 |
|
Mohammed Said – Party of Justice and Liberty |
132,242 |
0.92 |
|
Invalid votes |
1,042,727 |
7.25 |
| Total (turnout 74.54%) |
15,351,305 |
|
| Source: presse-dz.com |
The official turnout was disputed by the opposition, some claiming a turnout as low as 16%.[8] Informal US Embassy observations placed it at "25-30 percent at most."[1]
References[edit]
- ^ a b Wikileaks: 09ALGIERS370
- ^ "Algérie: vers la suppression de la limitation des mandats présidentiels", AFP, 3 November 2008 (French).
- ^ 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
External links[edit]
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