2009 Algerian presidential election explained

Country:Algeria
Type:presidential
Turnout:74.56%
Registered:20,595,683
Previous Election:2004 Algerian presidential election
Previous Year:2004
Next Election:2014 Algerian presidential election
Next Year:2014
Election Date:9 April 2009
Image1:Bouteflika (Algiers, Feb 2006).jpeg
Nominee1:Abdelaziz Bouteflika
Party1:National Liberation Front (Algeria)
Popular Vote1:13,019,787
Percentage1:90.23%
Nominee2:Louisa Hanoune
Party2:Workers' Party (Algeria)
Popular Vote2:649,632
Percentage2:4.50%
President
Before Election:Abdelaziz Bouteflika
After Election:Abdelaziz Bouteflika
Before Party:National Liberation Front (Algeria)
After Party:National Liberation Front (Algeria)

Presidential elections were held in Algeria on 9 April 2009. The result was a victory for incumbent President Abdelaziz Bouteflika, who was re-elected with 90% of the vote.

Background

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 Bouteflika to run for a third term.[1] The People's National Assembly endorsed the removal of the term limit on 12 November 2008, with only the Rally for Culture and Democracy (RCD) voting against its removal.[2]

Candidates

Thirteen candidates submitted papers to contest the election, but only six were approved to run:[3]

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 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 elections, 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,[6] and officially submitted his candidacy on 23 February, shortly before the deadline.[7]

Results

The official turnout of 75% was disputed by the opposition, with some claiming it was as low as 16%.[8]

Notes and References

  1. https://www.pambazuka.org/fr/governance/alg%C3%A9rie-vers-la-suppression-de-la-limitation-des-mandats-pr%C3%A9sidentiels "Algérie: vers la suppression de la limitation des mandats présidentiels"
  2. https://web.archive.org/web/20090414024658/http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5jI1Crc3dM4TjP7NncwbLBC-1bFSg "Algerian opposition pulls out of 'pathetic' presidential vote"
  3. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7921016.stm "Algerian poll contenders unveiled"
  4. Ahmed Aghrout (2009) "The presidential election in Algeria, April 2009" Electoral Studies Vol 29, pp171–195
  5. William Maclean, "Algeria ex-leader will not run for top job", Reuters (IOL), 14 January 2009.
  6. http://www.int.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click_id=85&art_id=nw20090212164058471C414688 "Bouteflika seeks third term in office"
  7. http://www.int.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click_id=85&art_id=nw20090223222231762C436663 "Algerian president submits candidacy"
  8. Web site: Rachad: 16 % was the real participation rate in the elections of 9 April 2009 . 2011-01-24 . https://web.archive.org/web/20110727195120/http://www.rachad.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=325:16--was-the-real-participation-rate-in-the-elections-of-9-april-2009&catid=59:rachad&Itemid=99 . 2011-07-27 . dead .