“Second round” bothers president’s partisans and tempts Benflis’ followers

Bouteflika’s partisans believe that the forthcoming presidential elections would be held through two rounds in view of the president’s popularity while boycotters say the second round depends on the electoral process transparency.

According to candidate Moussa Touati, transparent elections are held in two rounds. “I wonder how one single candidate always wins the elections. It is unbelievable that he gets the majority out of 6 other candidates,” he said.

Independent candidate Ali Benflis’ representative Lotfi Boumghar says they will win the voting in the first round as they are mobilized to get the possible largest number of votes in the first round.

According to candidate Fouzi Rebaine’s representative and member of the National Commission for Elections Surveillance Mohamed Sediki, Rebaine is the only one who represents real opposition as he did not negotiate to get a quota and he waits for people to vote for him.

“It’s wrong to say that the elections will be decided between Bouteflika and Benflis. Yet, the administration interference for fraud will limit the electoral process in one round only. Boycott rate will be high as the regime is divided between Benflis and Bouteflika,” he said.

“The silent majority will either boycott or vote for the man who is credible. Fouzi Rebaine is the poorest candidate. If there is a second round, the party will follow the decision of its national council to choose a given candidate or giving people the freedom of choice,” he added.

Independent candidate Abdelaziz Bouteflika’s representative Abdesselam Bouchouareb hailed Bouteflika’s achievements in 15 years. “That will let no doubt about his victory in the elections.”

“Bouteflika’s representatives are present in 15 provinces at least. Exceutives and well-known offcials including Abdelaziz Belkhadem, Ahmed Ouyahia and Sidi Said. All those efforts will not let any doubt about the elections result,” he said.

“It is not about a miracle but about objective data. People are living what Bouteflika achieved,” he added.

Ahmed Bensebane, press attaché at Abdelaziz Belaid’s electoral campaign said the candidate will run for office in the second round if results are not decided in the first round. “We will not support any other candidate. We will support ourselves as long as we are supported by people.”

Boycotters believe that either one round or a second one will not change anything as long as there is no transparency.

Djilali Sofiane, a member of the Boycotting Parties and Personalities’ Coordination said Bouteflika and Benflis will compete for the first position. “Because of that, the electoral process is not credible.”