2009 Algerian presidential election

Presidential elections were held in Algeria on 9 April 2009. The result was a victory for incumbent President Abdelaziz Bouteflika, who was re-elected with 90% of the vote.

2009 Algerian presidential election

9 April 2009
Registered	20,595,683
Turnout	74.56%
Nominee Abdelaziz Bouteflika Louisa Hanoune Party FLN PT Popular vote 13,019,787 649,632 Percentage 90.23% 4.50%
President before election Abdelaziz Bouteflika FLN Elected President Abdelaziz Bouteflika FLN

Background

The Council of Ministers announced on 3 November 2008 that a planned constitutional revision would remove the two-term limit on the presidency that was previously included in Article 74, thereby enabling Bouteflika to run for a third term.[1] The People's National Assembly endorsed the removal of the term limit on 12 November 2008, with only the Rally for Culture and Democracy (RCD) voting against its removal.[2]

Candidates

Thirteen candidates submitted papers to contest the election, but only six were approved to run:[3]

• Abdelaziz Bouteflika, incumbent president and leader of the National Liberation Front. Supported by the Democratic National Rally
• Louisa Hanoune, candidate of the Workers' Party
• Moussa Touati, candidate of the Algerian National Front (FNA)
• Mohammed Said, independent candidate supported by his Party of Justice and Liberty (which was not recognised at the time of the election)[4]
• Djahid Younsi, candidate of the Movement for National Reform
• Ali Fawzi Rebaine, candidate of Ahd 54

Although some urged former President Liamine Zéroual to run, he said in a published statement on 14 January 2009 that he would not, while also suggesting that it was not in the best interests of democracy for Bouteflika to run for a third term.[5]

RCD President Saïd Sadi announced on 15 January 2009 that the RCD would not participate in the elections, which he described as a "pathetic and dangerous circus", saying that to participate "would be tantamount to complicity in an operation of national humiliation".[2]

Bouteflika announced his independent candidacy for a third term at a rally in Algiers on 12 February 2009,[6] and officially submitted his candidacy on 23 February, shortly before the deadline.[7]

Results

The official turnout of 75% was disputed by the opposition, with some claiming it was as low as 16%.[8] Informal US Embassy observations placed it at "25–30 percent at most."[9]

Candidate		Party	Votes	%
	Abdelaziz Bouteflika	National Liberation Front	13,019,787	90.23
	Louisa Hanoune	Workers' Party	649,632	4.50
	Moussa Touati	Algerian National Front	294,411	2.04
	Djahid Younsi	Movement for National Reform	208,549	1.45
	Mohammed Said	Independent	133,315	0.92
	Ali Fawzi Rebaine	Ahd 54	124,559	0.86
Invalid/blank votes			925,771	–
Total			15,356,024	100
Registered voters/turnout			20,595,683	74.56
Source: Electoral Studies

References

1. "Algérie: vers la suppression de la limitation des mandats présidentiels" AFP, 3 November 2008 (in French).
2. "Algerian opposition pulls out of 'pathetic' presidential vote", AFP, 15 January 2009.
3. "Algerian poll contenders unveiled", BBC, 3 March 2009.
4. Ahmed Aghrout (2009) "The presidential election in Algeria, April 2009" Electoral Studies Vol 29, pp171–195
5. William Maclean, "Algeria ex-leader will not run for top job", Reuters (IOL), 14 January 2009.
6. "Bouteflika seeks third term in office", Reuters (IOL), 12 February 2009.
7. "Algerian president submits candidacy", AFP, 23 February 2009.
8. "Rachad: 16 % was the real participation rate in the elections of 9 April 2009". Archived from the original on 2011-07-27. Retrieved 2011-01-24.
9. Bouteflika reelected in heavily managed contest Wikileaks