Mon Sep 09 16:07:46 UTC 2024: ## Algerian President Declared Winner in Dubious Election

**ALGIERS, Algeria** – Incumbent President Abulmadjid Tebboune has been declared the winner of Algeria’s presidential election, securing a second term with a landslide 95% of the vote. However, the election has been widely criticized as a “farce” by opposition politicians who accuse Tebboune of manipulating the results.

Opposition leaders, including Zubaida Assoul and journalist AbdelWakeel Blam, have denounced the election process, citing the disqualification of key opposition candidates, restrictions on freedom of speech, and allegations of widespread voter fraud. They claim the results announced by the Algerian National Independent Election Authority (ANIE) were fabricated, highlighting inconsistencies between official tallies and local reports.

Tebboune, who was heavily favored to win, faced criticism for the low voter turnout in the 2019 election. This time, despite official claims of a 48% turnout, the election has been marked by widespread apathy, particularly among young Algerians. With youth unemployment exceeding 30% and overall unemployment around 12%, many young people feel disillusioned by the political system, perceiving little change since the 2019 pro-democracy protests that forced the resignation of former President Abdelaziz Bouteflika.

The opposition, led by Islamist Abedlali Hassani Cherif and socialist Youcef Aouchiche, has accused election officials of systematically discarding ballots cast for them to inflate Tebboune’s victory margin. They claim the election was a “masquerade” and a “shame” that will “tarnish the image of the country.”

While Tebboune has used Algeria’s current economic boom, fueled by increased demand for gas following the Russian invasion of Ukraine, to fund social programs, the opposition argues that these benefits are insufficient to address the deep-rooted issues facing the country. They fear that under Tebboune’s continued rule, Algeria will remain stagnant, with limited political and social reforms.

The international community is expected to closely monitor the situation in Algeria, with concerns rising over the legitimacy of the election and the potential for further political instability.

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