Call for citizens’ involvement in political life in Algeria

Political parties stressed Wednesday on the fourth day of the election campaign for the forthcoming local elections, the importance of citizen involvement in political life, starting with local assemblies. In this regard, the first secretary of the Socialist Forces Front (FFS) Ali Laskri expressed during a meeting in Boumerdes, the importance of political practice by the citizen, through its membership of parties and participation in elected assemblies, stressing that it is "a right recognized by law to make an agent of change and strengthening the state." Laskri pleaded Furthermore, to strengthen the capacity of municipalities and prefectures to enable them to achieve their development programs and to respond to citizens’ aspirations. During a meeting in Medea, the Secretary General of the National Liberation Front (FLN) Abdelaziz Belkhadem, called on citizens to become more involved in managing the affairs of the town, inviting to take part in the work of the plenary meetings of the People communal assembly (APC) to ensure "complementarity" between politicians and citizens. For his part, president of the Algerian National Front party (FNA) Moussa Touati make of November 29th an "electoral revolution". "The time has come to make a revolution election to exercise a constitutional right to elect their representatives and make the expected change," he said. In this regard, the secretary general of the National Democratic Rally (RND) party, Ahmed Ouyahia, said that "the credibility of the elected representatives consists of accompaniment in all conditions, ensuring a continuous dialogue and direct communication." For him, "the solidarity of the members of communal and provincial assemblies is necessary" because, he said, "it is a bridge of communication in the implementation of development programs, the rights of citizens and handles their concerns." Head of AHD 54 party Ali Fawzi Rebaine mentioned the prerogatives of these assemblies, advocating a "more important enlargement." He said it was "unacceptable that the decision-making power remains in the hands of local government, while the elected representative face the wrath of the street," and stressed that local officials "will never change anything, but content to support and convey the concerns of citizens." For his part, the secretary general of the Movement for National Reconciliation (MEN), Ali Boukhazna called Algiers voters to choose the "best" candidates capable of managing their town. He said that if elected officials would be able to convince voters they can overcome all obstacles and cope with the pressures especially since they are protected by law and votes.