Local elections: 700 billion centimes and million supervisors for turnout expected at 45 percent

More than 21 voters are expected to cast ballots in Thursday’s local elections. This year’s contest is fifth elections date in Algeria’s pluralism history. The government allocated 700 billion centimes, mobilized about one million supervisors and set up provincial judicial commissions to this event.

In this second elections date since the political reforms launching, the government will face turnout challenge. Though the Algerian interior minister expected that 45 percent of people will vote on the basis of previous similar elections, opposition parties are skeptical about this rate.

The number of the political parties is 52 but the different between FLN and RND which top the list is very big. This constitutes a main clue that results will enable those two parties to dominate provincial and municipal assemblies in Algeria.

Voters will choose their representatives in 1,541 municipal assemblies and 48 provincial assemblies. Twenty four hours before the opening of polling stations, the Official Journal’s latest edition published names of judicial commission’s members in provinces and the legal text which authorizes prefects to extend polling duration and keeping polling stations open from 8 am until 7 pm.

According to the interior ministry, there are 8,383 lists of political parties and 197 lists for independent candidates.

More than 800 supervisors will be mobilized in polling stations which are provided with all necessary equipments.

All the indicators show that FLN and RND will won the majority of votes though their ministers are symbolically present in cabinet.

Earlier, the interior minister gave instructions to prefects to take a set of measures to ensure transparency and impartiality in those elections.