Algerian Radio
The scene inside the polling stations in Tunisia appears to be more than just an electoral process; it is a recurring rendezvous where members of the national community gather to reaffirm their bond with their motherland, even though many of them were born in Tunisia.
Amidst a familial atmosphere marked by ululations and voters draped in the national flag, the electoral process is characterized by striking scenes of voters from various generations. They were brought together for this event inside the electoral center at the Consulate General in Tunis, a location imbued with special historical symbolism. During the Liberation Revolution, it housed the Ministry of Armament and General Liaison (MALG) of the Provisional Government, and its halls hosted the meeting of the "Ten Colonels" in 1959 to discuss the prospects of the revolution.
In this space steeped in historical symbolism, voters—many of whom were born in Tunisia and belong to the third or fourth generation of Algerian families residing in the country—made it a point to show up and fulfill their electoral duty. They affirmed that distance and the passing of generations have not diminished their attachment to Algeria nor their commitment to participating in its national milestones.
In this regard, Ilyes Ch., a 22-year-old born in Tunisia, stated that he is participating in the elections for the second time, considering voting to be a "right and a duty" toward the land of his ancestors.
Ilyes recounted that his great-grandfather settled in Tunisia during the colonial era, yet the family has maintained its strong connection to Algeria. He added: "Since childhood, we have lived and felt its national occasions with all our hearts, and we make sure to visit periodically."
The young man views the elections as an opportunity to choose those who will represent the diaspora and serve as its voice within the National People's Assembly (APN).
The Merghani family shares this same conviction. As its members headed to the polling stations, the son, Nasser, who was also born in Tunisia, affirmed his commitment to participating in all national electoral events because "Algeria remains our motherland, no matter how far away we are." He expressed his hope that members of the community will gain stronger representation that reflects their concerns, especially with the number of seats allocated to the diaspora being increased to 12.
For his niece, Abir, participating in this ballot "goes beyond merely fulfilling an electoral duty; it becomes an occasion to renew the sense of belonging to the motherland."
In this context, she noted that although all members of her family were born in Tunisia, they have remained deeply connected to Algeria through regular visits and by closely following all its news.
Hamza, for his part, explained that he has never missed an election since reaching the legal voting age. He highly praised the decision to increase the number of seats allocated to the national community abroad within the National People's Assembly.
Meanwhile, Abdelkrim Bouloussa, born in Tunisia in 1965, described the elections as a "national rendezvous" through which he renews his ties to Algeria. He called on the new deputies to maintain constant communication with the members of the diaspora, work to represent them to the fullest, and defend their concerns.
In the same vein, his sister, Djamila, considered polling day an opportunity to meet with members of the diaspora living across Tunisia, noting that "the homeland remains in the heart, no matter the distance."
As for Tibr Allal, whose roots trace back to the wilaya of El Oued but who was born in Tunisia, she affirmed that her mother instilled a deep love for Algeria in her children from a young age. This bond makes participating in the elections, for her, "a natural act and an indispensable duty."
