The North Africa Journal – January 24, 2019: President Abdelaziz Bouteflika has convened the electoral committee last week, hence ruling out the postponement of the presidential election of 18 April 2019. Members of the opposition had tried to push a postponement, in order to discuss a “national consensus” before the election. While this announcement has surprised many, it does not imply that the sitting President has made a decision regarding his possible candidacy.
Algeria now has an official presidential election date, but uncertainty remains. Although some big names decided to compete for the post, including retired Major-General Ali Ghediri and former Prime Minister Ali Benflis, the lack of pronouncement from President Bouteflika is maintaining the state of status quo and ambiguity. The uncertainty surrounding President Bouteflika’s candidacy is a major wildcard even though three of the governing Alliance parties have been even more vocal as to their support of Bouteflika, after they were forced to go silent in mid-December under pressure from the presidency. Ruling parties RND, the FLN and TAJ have now resumed their vocal support of Bouteflika, doubling down on their speeches calling for Bouteflika to seek a fifth term.
This state of affairs is likely to persist over the coming four-to-five weeks, as Bouteflika will probably want to use the next 45 days before the 4 March deadline for submitting his papers. This will not be a new development, as he did the same thing in the 2014 elections, waiting a few hours before the 3 March deadline. This is same scenario that took place then, when his supporters insisted Bouteflika would run, but no one took them seriously.
Meanwhile, as soon as the electoral body was convened for the presidential election on Thursday, 18 April, the Ministry of the Interior witnessed an uptick of activity with dozens of potential candidates withdrawing papers and forms needed to apply for candidacy. By Tuesday, 22 January, 61 people submitted their letters of intent. 50 of whom are just independent individuals, and the remaining are tied to a political party, a figure that is likely to skyrocket in the coming days. The bar has been set so high for anyone seeking to run for office. By 5 March 2019, each will need either signatures of 600 signatures of elected representatives from at least 25 provinces. If they cannot get the representatives, they must collect signature form 60,000 voters in 25 provinces. This is a tall order for those interested but do not have a functional organization or political party behind them.
Army chief pledges neutrality
Deputy Minister of Defense and Chief of Staff of the Algerian military, Lieutenant General Ahmed Gaïd Salah, spoke on the presidential election of 18 April, insisting on the neutrality of the defense forces, recalling its commitment to “strict respect for the Constitution”. In a speech delivered in Blida, Gaïd Salah said: “The National People’s Army reiterates, with this professional approach, that it is a regular, organized army, led by men who are perfectly aware of the limits of their responsibilities and the importance, or even the vitality, of the constitutional missions assigned to our armed forces. The Army must respect, strictly, the Constitution and the laws of the Republic.” territory”. The officer added “We are sworn to ensure that the next presidential elections will be held in a climate of tranquility, allowing our people to exercise their national duty in normal and ordinary conditions.”
