Algerian Election Day

It's Bouteflika election day — excuse me, Algerian election day. Everyone agrees, this one will not be a cliffhanger. Most of the main opposition figures are sitting out the election; the second-string candidates who are running have had some difficulties just getting their message heard.

Here's one account of the concerns over rigging. It notes that there are foreign election observers on hand: from the Arab League, the African Union, and the Organization of the Islamic Conference. Meaning no disrespect to those august bodies, but one might have thought observers from the EU, the US, or other bodies more familiar with competitive elections might be in order. And here's the BBC analysis.

I think that one reason so many Algerians and others have expressed dismay at the election is the fact that not too many years ago Algeria showed signs of developing a real, competitive, multi-party system. Despite the continuing domination of the Army and the security services, there was a genuine political give and take. The years of troubles and instability, of course, led to a natural yearning for stability, and as is often the case the price of stability was the stiflng of genuine political competition.

Abdelaziz Bouteflika is not the most authoritarian leader in the Arab world, and Algeria still has a livelier politics than many countries, as seen by the fact that there has been plenty of criticism of the fairness of he elections inside Algeria as well as out. And at least there are opposition candidates and they did campaign. We can hope that the results will not be enhanced to the absurd levels that are too common in the region (98% victories and such), and that the future may see a more competitive race. Bouteflika's age and uncertain health suggest that he will not remain in office forever, despite amending the Constitution to allow multiple terms.

Of course, this entire posting is going to look very silly if Bouteflika loses, but somehow I don't think I have to worry too much about that.

UPDATE: They're saying a 62% turnout, said to be a record turnout. That may be a credible turnout figure, though given all the boycotts it seems a bit high. Still, it's not one of those "97% turnout" claims. For the record I belive the most extreme claim was Saddam Hussein just before the US launched the war against him, who held a Presidential election in which he won not 97%, or 98%, or 99% like his colleagues elsewhere, but a unanimous 100% vote. It's too late to look up the references right now; that's why you have Google.