Algeria will officially launch its presidential campaign on December 12, despite a popular movement that refuses to organize in the current circumstances.
Yesterday, the five presidential candidates signed the Code of Ethics for Electoral Practices. The Charter contains a range of obligations, including the abstention from the use of foreign languages, the dissemination of hate speech, discrimination and violence, or those aimed at undermining confidence in State institutions.
The charter also prohibits the use of places of worship, public administrations and educational institutions in the campaign.
The head of the Independent National Electoral Authority, Mohamed Cherfi, said the code of ethics for electoral practices was the first of its kind in Algeria.
He added that it is a consensual charter binding on all candidates for the elections of the President of the Republic and representatives of various national media and the Independent National Electoral Authority.
Call from the army
This comes as the Supreme Command of the Algerian army called on citizens to make the presidential elections a success, calling it a "fateful date in the life and future of the country", calling on citizens to "raise the challenge that enhances the status and reputation of Algeria."
The leadership pledged to provide the appropriate conditions for the conduct of the electoral process in accordance with legal conditions.
| Algerian street witnesses sharp split between supporters and opponents of presidential elections (Reuters) |
Demands and warning
The Algerian army statement stated that it was in line with the legitimate demands of citizens. The army command said it had issued adequate instructions to all security forces concerned to provide the conditions for the Algerian people to participate effectively and effectively in the election campaign and in the presidential elections.
The leadership also stressed that the achievement of the main objective of the legitimate demands of citizens in achieving the desired change is to organize presidential elections within the framework of constitutional legitimacy and respect for state institutions and restore hope in the hearts of Algerians a better tomorrow.
It is noteworthy that a few days ago warned interim President Abdelkader Ben Saleh that the freedom to demonstrate must respect the will of those wishing to participate in the elections, and that the state will address those who block it.
The Algerian street is divided sharply between supporters of the presidential elections, as it is the only way out of the crisis by choosing a president who implements the demands of reform, and opponents demanding to postpone it on the grounds that the conditions are not conducive to hold it on this date, and it is only a way to renew the regime of outgoing President Abdelaziz Bouteflika.
Five candidates are running: former Prime Minister Abdelmajid Taboun, former Prime Minister Ali Benflis (Secretary General of the Vanguard of Freedoms Party), Abdelaziz Belaid (President of the Front of the Future and former Deputy of Abdelaziz Bouteflika) and Ezz. Eddine Mihoubi (Secretary General of the National Democratic Rally; Ahmed Ouyahia's former prime minister imprisoned in corruption cases), and Abdelkader Ben Kreina (head of the National Building Movement).