Algerian Radio
The national political scene will enter a new decisive phase starting tomorrow, Tuesday, with the official launch of the electoral campaign for the upcoming July 2 legislative elections. For twenty-one days, until June 28, political parties, alliances, and independent lists will take over public spaces and audiovisual media in an attempt to convince an electorate of over 24.7 million voters of the relevance of their programs and proposals for the next legislature.
This campaign marks the true kickoff of the competition for the renewal of the National People's Assembly (APN). It takes place in a context where the authorities are highlighting the consolidation of representative institutions and the strengthening of the democratic process.
Candidates will thus have three weeks to present their political, economic, and social visions, defend their projects, and seek the trust of citizens for the next five years of the 10th legislature.
Over 24,727,000 Voters Registered by ANIE
According to data from the Independent National Authority of Elections (ANIE), the electoral body comprises 24,727,041 voters, including 23,872,756 inside the country and 854,285 members of the national community established abroad. This is a significant electorate that the various political formations will attempt to mobilize through popular rallies, grassroots meetings, debates, and communication campaigns.
Organizational and Technical Preparations Finalized
In order to ensure the smooth running of this milestone, ANIE has finalized all organizational and technical preparations. The electoral body notably conducted the draw for the candidates' broadcasting time slots on public audiovisual media during a ceremony organized at the Abdelatif Rahal International Conference Center in Algiers.
Chaired by Karim Khelfane, acting president of ANIE, in the presence of the Minister of Communication, Zoheir Bouamama, the president of the Independent National Authority for Audiovisual Regulation (ANIRA), as well as representatives of institutions and candidates, this operation aims to guarantee strict equality of treatment among all competitors.
Numbers Assigned During the Draw Will Serve as Candidate Identifiers
Each direct intervention in public media will be limited to three minutes in accordance with current regulations. The numbers assigned during the draw will also serve as official identification numbers on the ballots and in public spaces reserved for electoral displays. Political parties will be assigned numbers from 1 to 34, while alliances will have specific numbering.
Fair Media Mobilization
In the same context, ANIE has invited the lists scheduled to record on public audiovisual media to submit in advance the names of the candidates set to speak. The latter must be provided with an official authorization issued by their party or independent list specifying the channel concerned, the broadcast date, and the selected time slot.
National media will be mobilized to accompany this event in compliance with the principles of pluralism, neutrality, and professionalism. ANIRA has, moreover, called on public and private audiovisual media to strictly observe the legal and ethical rules governing the coverage of the electoral process, while affirming its determination to intervene in the event of breaches likely to undermine the integrity of electoral information.
For its part, Algerian Radio has completed its preparations to welcome the candidates. Three digital studios have been mobilized for the recording of some 2,400 free-expression messages of three minutes each, which will be broadcast on various national channels during the campaign. Specialized technical teams have been deployed to guarantee the quality of the recordings and adherence to the schedule established under ANIE's supervision.
Preserving the Integrity of the Ballot and Equal Opportunities
This campaign will take place under the framework of a reinforced legal mechanism designed to preserve the integrity of the ballot and equal opportunities among candidates. The organic law relating to the electoral system sets strict rules regarding the content of electoral discourse. Any instrumentalization of national constants, any hate speech, division, or regionalism, as well as any partisan exploitation of the foundations of national identity, are prohibited. The use of foreign languages during the campaign is also forbidden.
In the interest of preserving the administration's neutrality, the legislation prohibits the use of state resources and infrastructure for electoral purposes, notably public, educational, and university establishments, or places of worship.
Municipal People's Assemblies (APC) are, for their part, required to provide all lists with display spaces of identical dimensions in order to guarantee equitable visibility for the different candidates.
Financial Transparency: A Central Axis of the Campaign Framework
Financial transparency also constitutes a central axis of the framework for this campaign. ANIE has called on all lists to appoint a campaign treasurer responsible for opening a single bank account intended to receive and manage authorized financial resources.
The legislator limits funding sources to contributions from political parties, personal contributions from candidates, and donations made by citizens in their capacity as natural persons. Any foreign funding or funding from legal entities remains strictly prohibited.
Campaign expenses will be subject to rigorous control by the competent authorities. Candidates will notably be required to present a detailed balance sheet of their expenses and revenues within the deadlines stipulated by law after the proclamation of the results.
A 72-Hour Electoral Silence Starting June 28 and Voters Head to the Polls on July 2
The campaign will end on June 28 at midnight. A 72-hour period of electoral silence will then begin, during which any propaganda activity and the publication of polls will be prohibited.
This phase is intended to allow voters to reflect freely before heading to the polls this upcoming July 2 to choose their representatives in the National People's Assembly.
