Political Parties Responsible for the Participation of Citizens in May 10 Elections, Interior Ministry says

Algiers- Political parties, media and Algerian citizens are responsible of for the success of May 10 elections, Interior Ministry says.

This position discloses the fears that plague the government due to the experience of 2007 which noticed the weakest participation of voters since the independence.

General Manager of Public Freedoms and Legal Affairs at the Interior Ministry, Mohamed Talbi told the National Radio; “The realization of a large participation in May 10 elections depends on the success of the political parties in convincing the citizens during the campaign, and the quality of candidates”.

 “Convincing the citizens of the important to go to the polls for vote is linked to the success of the political parties during the campaign and to the good choice of candidates who got the confidence and love of people, and right to represent the social groups within the upcoming National People’s Council”, he added.

 The spokesman asserted; “Media have a pivotal role in mobilizing citizens to participate in these elections by the need to raise their awareness to go to the services for registration on electoral rolls in anticipation to any participation in the next elections”. 

 If political parties, media and Algerians in general, are key actors in the equation of elections that should not be overlooked in any discussion on success or failure of any polls, the role of government backed by the Interior Ministry, remains an important and perhaps more important than the elements previously motioned. However; the official at the department of Dahou Ould Kablia considers the phenomenon of reluctance of citizens on performing their duty (voting) do not happen in Algeria only, but also in various countries of the world with varying degrees. But he forgot to point out the important aspects that characterized the previous elections during the recent years, such as the lack of confidence between the voters and the administration, which is accused of using its potential for two parties which dominate the power since the independence.

 The task of the Interior Ministry so far three months before the elections’ date, did not exceed sending short SMS via mobile phones to the Algerians, calling them to vote on May 10, and encouraging the non-registered in the electoral rolls, to go to services of civil state to register.