Algerian president Abdelmadjid Tebboune expected to win second term after election

On Saturday, Algerians voted in an election to decide whether army-backed President Abdelmadjid Tebboune gets another term in office.

There is little suspense about the result, with Mr Tebboune expected to win easily.

Early on Sunday, an official source said the election turnout had reached 48 per cent — up from 40 per cent in the 2019 presidential election.

The preliminary results are expected to be announced later in the day.

Mr Tebboune said after voting that he hoped "whoever wins will continue on the path towards a point of no return in the construction of democracy".

Polls closed late on Saturday and vote counting was underway as Algerians awaited an announcement of the results.

In the lead-up to Saturday, Mr Tebboune's backers and rivals all urged Algerians to come out and vote after boycotts and high abstention rates in previous elections marred the government's ability to claim popular support.

Algeria is Africa's largest country by area and, with almost 45 million people, it's the continent's second most populous after South Africa to hold presidential elections in 2024 — a year in which more than 50 elections are being held worldwide, encompassing more than half the world's population.

The campaign — rescheduled earlier this year to take place during North Africa's hot summer — was characterised by apathy from the population, which continues to be plagued by a high cost of living and drought that brought water shortages to some parts of the country.

"Uncle Tebboune," as his campaign called the 78-year-old, was elected in December 2019 after nearly a year of weekly "Hirak" demonstrations demanding the resignation of former president Abdelaziz Bouteflika.

Their demands were met when Mr Bouteflika resigned and was replaced by an interim government of his former allies, which called for elections later in the year.

Protesters opposed holding elections so soon, fearing the candidates running that year were close to the old regime and would derail dreams of a civilian-led, non-military state.

Mr Tebboune, a former prime minister seen as close to the military, won. But his victory was stained by boycotts and election-day tumult.

Throughout his tenure, Mr Tebboune has used oil and gas revenue to boost some social benefits — including unemployment insurance as well as public wages and pensions — to calm discontent.

Many Algerians remain unconvinced that elections will usher in change.

Activists and international organisations, including Amnesty International, have railed against how authorities continue prosecuting those involved in opposition parties, media organisations and civil society groups.

Some have denounced this election as a rubber stamp exercise that can only entrench the status quo.

"Algerians don't give a damn about this bogus election," said former Hirak leader Hakim Addad, who was banned from participating in politics three years ago. "The political crisis will persist as long as the regime remains in place. The Hirak has spoken."

Twenty-six candidates submitted preliminary paperwork to run in the election, although only two were ultimately approved to challenge Mr Tebboune.

Both avoided directly criticising Mr Tebboune on the campaign trail and, like the incumbent, emphasised election participation.

Abdelali Hassani Cherif, a 57-year-old head of the Islamist party Movement of Society for Peace, made populist appeals to Algerian youth, running on the slogan "Opportunity!"

Youcef Aouchiche, a 41-year-old former journalist running with the Socialist Forces Front, or FFS, campaigned on a "vision for tomorrow".

Both challengers and their parties risked losing backing from supporters who thought they were selling out by giving the impression the election was democratic and contested.

AP