Algeria’s Army Chief General Ahmed Gaid Salah on Tuesday called for massive voter turnout in the December 12 elections despite massive opposition to the presidential polls, reported the Middle East Eye.
In a meeting with military officials, Gaid Salah said that Algerians need “to head en masse to the polling stations” on the day of the election.
He said a large turnout would give a stinging slap to all those attacking Algeria.
Salah’s statement follows a European Parliament resolution issued last week that condemned the arbitrary and unlawful arrest and detainment of, attacks on and intimidations of journalists, trade unionists, lawyers, students, human rights defenders, and civil society and all peaceful protesters in Algeria.
Protests first broke in February against Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika’s plan to run for a fifth term in office. While the ailing president resigned a few weeks later, the protesters have continued with the protest to demand the departure of the country’s ruling elite, the army’s withdrawal from politics, and an end to corruption.
The anti-government protesters have rejected the December election as they claim Bouteflika-era figures still in power will use the election as a chance to appoint his successor. They have been staging massive rallies every Friday, as they fear the poll will cement in power politicians close to Bouteflika and the old regime.
The list includes former prime ministers Abdelmadjid Tebboune and Ali Benflis, former culture minister Azzedddine Mihoubi, former tourism minister Abdelkader Bengrine, and Abdelaziz Belaid, head of the El Mostakbal Movement party.
According to Algeria’s electoral committee, five candidates, including two former prime ministers, are running for president. The protesters argue that all five candidates belong to the Bouteflika-era political establishment and have all either supported the former president or had roles in his governments.
In related news, Algeria’s National Independent Authority for Elections (ANIE) has announced that the five presidential candidates would participate in a television debate on Friday ahead of the elections.
