The big uncertainty in this election will be the turnout, since both the opposition and the Hirak protest movement are opposed to it.
Around 24 million people are eligible to vote in Saturday’s election of 407 new representatives of the National People’s Assembly – the lower house of parliament – for a five-year term.
There are more than 13,000 candidates, many of whom are running as independent candidates.
This is the first time that so many independent candidates are competing against candidates endorsed by political parties, which have become mostly discredited and are blamed for the catastrophic political crisis.
These newcomers, who have no official political affiliation, have the potential to create a new force with the support of the elites, who are seeking legitimacy in a country in crisis and riven by social and economic problems.
Algeria has witnessed minimal change after the exit of veteran leader Abdelaziz Bouteflika in 2019, according to Algerians. The army retains considerable influence, and President Abdelmajid Tebboune battles with legitimacy.
Pro-government parties and the state media urged the people to vote in this “crucial election for the country’s stability”, until the last moment of the contest.
The official campaign for the June 12 legislative elections ended on Wednesday.
