Tebboune’s Sweeping Win in Algerian Election Draws Scrutiny Over Discrepancies and Alleged Manipulation

Following his declared victory in Algeria’s election, President Abdelmadjid Tebboune found himself at the center of controversy as he, along with his challengers, voiced strong criticism against the country’s election authority.

The National Independent Election Authority (ANIE) reported that Tebboune had secured 94.7% of the vote, a result that starkly contradicted earlier turnout figures and local counts, raising suspicions of irregularities. This surprising turn of events has overshadowed what was initially anticipated to be a smooth re-election for the 78-year-old president.

Tebboune’s massive vote share seemed unusually high compared to other international elections, such as Vladimir Putin’s 87% in Russia and Ilham Aliyev’s 92% in Azerbaijan. This discrepancy, combined with the low voter turnout, has led to significant skepticism about the election’s legitimacy.

Official turnout figures showed that only about 5.6 million out of 24 million eligible voters participated, a significant drop from the previous election’s 39.9% turnout. The contradiction between the initially reported 48% turnout and the actual figures has fueled concerns and accusations of vote manipulation.

The challengers, Islamist Abdelali Hassani Cherif and socialist Youcef Aouchiche, both expressed doubts about the accuracy of the results, echoing concerns about discrepancies in voter turnout figures. Cherif’s campaign manager, Ahmed Sadok, criticized the delays and alleged inaccuracies in vote sorting, accusing the election officials of compromising the integrity of the election.

These criticisms culminated in a joint statement from all three candidates, demanding a review of the results and questioning the credibility of the electoral process.

The election season has been marked by widespread discontent and criticism from human rights advocates and civil society groups, who have condemned the repressive environment and the harassment of opposition figures.

Amnesty International highlighted severe restrictions on freedom of expression and assembly, characterizing the election as a mere formality intended to entrench the existing political elite rather than genuinely reflecting popular will.

The election results and the ensuing controversy have sparked a broader debate about the state of democracy in Algeria. Pro-democracy activists have argued that the low voter turnout and the electoral process’s perceived illegitimacy underscore a broader disillusionment with the political system.

The ongoing protests and the Hirak movement’s persistent demands for genuine democratic reforms reflect a deep-seated skepticism about the government’s commitment to change, casting a shadow over Tebboune’s presidency and Algeria’s political future.