Algeria: Government urges citizens to vote for legislative elections

The Algerian Government is planning on encouraging citizens to go to the polls during the legislative elections planned on May 4.

While the election campaign opens this Sunday, authorities in the country are increasing initiatives to raise awareness among voters on the importance of Ballot.

The Government has launched a campaign “Samaa sawtek” in Arabic meaning “I hear thy voice,” , to keep the flame of civic duty.

The Audiovisual media is to ensure the awareness of voters.

The initiative is to make the country do better than in the legislative elections of 2012, where only 42.90% of electors voted.

Under the constitutional changes approved in February, Algeria set up an independent election monitoring body and reinstated a two-term limit for the presidency.

Parliament remains weak in terms of powers, but Islamist parties have already announced plans to join forces ahead of the election in a bid to reduce the influence of the main pro-government parties.

At least 100 observers from the Arab League will arrive in Algeria by the end of this month to observe the legislative elections, a senior official said.

The upcoming legislative elections will witness the participation of 12,591 candidates.