Algerians show little interest in upcoming local elections

With Algerian political parties eagerly campaigning for the upcoming municipal and provincial legislative elections, the general public, especially the young generation, shows little interest in casting ballot. Next Thursday, 1,541 municipal and 48 provincial legislatures in Algeria will hold elections. So far, 8,383 lists were filed by 52 parties and 179 lists by independent candidates for municipal elections; 615 lists of political parties and nine independent lists for provincial elections. Although political parties have been campaigning since Nov. 4, the halls hosting campaign meetings are usually not crowded. "So far, most people who have been elected to run our issues fail to meet the promises they made during their campaign, mainly with regard to fixing the housing crisis and unemployment," Yacine, a 25-year-old student, told Xinhua. "Because of such bad experiences, I don't care about politics," said Yacine. "I've never voted, and won't do it this time." However, Abderahmane, a 75-year-old retired man, considered abstention as a bad choice. "Although I don't expect much from elections, I've always voted. I don't see abstention as a solution for change. I see voting as a civilized attitude that contributes in maintaining stability and peace in Algeria, amid turmoil that hit the Arab region, as you can see in Libya and Syria," said Abderahmane. Political expert Abdelhamid Mezaache said there is a " disconnection" between Algerian citizens and "the political class, " as citizens already realize that campaign promises would never be met. "Promises bind only those who believe in them. In fact, candidates admit that they don't have enough resources and financial means to improve daily lives of citizens, so how would you expect people to go to vote?" Mezaache told Xinhua. As a result, "the Nov. 29 elections have no significance, as voting has become a pure symbolic act," according to the analyst. So far, a total of 48,000 polling stations have been set up to receive 20,673,818 people who have registered to vote. "The forthcoming elections constitute a major stake... The electors are aware of this stake. I think the turnout would be around 40 and 45 percent, just like that of the parliamentary election on May 10," Algerian Minister of Interior Daho Ould Kablia recently told the local radio.