Algerians vote for new parliament with turnout in focus
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Algiers: Voters in Algeria are casting ballots to elect a new parliament in a national vote heavily overshadowed by severe cost-of-living strains, political disengagement, and widespread candidate bans.
Nearly 25 million registered citizens are eligible to select 407 lawmakers for five-year terms in the lower house of Parliament.
The election authority barred 269 prospective candidates from running, specifically targeting former leaders and activists from the Hirak pro-democracy movement over alleged ‘suspicious political activities’.
This institutional suppression has further stifled public enthusiasm, leading to sparsely attended campaign events.
To salvage voter turnout, the government declared Thursday a paid national holiday. However, most citizens remain preoccupied with shrinking purchasing power, failing public services, and the national soccer team’s high-stakes World Cup knockout match against Switzerland.
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