1999 Algerian presidential election

Presidential elections were held in Algeria on 15 April 1999. Abdelaziz Bouteflika was elected with 73.8% of the vote after the other six candidates withdrew on the eve of the elections.

1999 Algerian presidential election

15 April 1999
Registered	17,488,759
Turnout	60.91%
Nominee Abdelaziz Bouteflika Ahmed Taleb Ibrahimi Party FLN Independent Popular vote 7,445,045 1,265,594 Percentage 73.76% 12.54%
President before election Liamine Zéroual FLN Elected President Abdelaziz Bouteflika FLN

Background

Incumbent president Liamine Zéroual announced in September 1998 that early presidential elections would be held in February 1999. He also said that he would not be a candidate, in a move which was reported as being due to infighting within the Algerian army.[1] The election date was later set for 15 April and the official campaign began on 25 March.[2] The government set up the Independent National Commission for Monitoring the Presidential Election (CNISEP) to oversee the elections, and Zéroual called upon all government officials to remain neutral.[3]

The elections took place amidst a backdrop of continuing conflict in the Algerian Civil War. Restoring peace to the country was the major election issue.[2]

Candidates

The frontrunner was former foreign minister, Abdelaziz Bouteflika, who was supported by much of the military and establishment. Bouteflika had the backing of the two main parties in the governing coalition and said that he would work to increase trust in the government and would not rule out talking to anyone.[2] Pro-government newspapers described Bouteflika as the "national consensus candidate".[4]

The other candidates included Ahmed Taleb Ibrahimi, a former education and foreign minister, who received backing from the outlawed Islamic Salvation Front (FIS). He supported talking with the FIS and for the military to withdraw from politics. Another candidate Abdallah Djaballah, the founder of the Movement for National Reform, called for a government of national unity to be formed.[5]

Two former prime ministers were candidates. Mouloud Hamrouche, prime minister from 1989 to 1991 was a former member of the governing National Liberation Front (FLN) who had fallen out with the leaders of the party. Mokdad Sifi was prime minister from 1993 to 1995 and was backed by part of the National Rally for Democracy (RND) which did not support Bouteflika. He opposed an amnesty or negotiations with murderers of women and children.[5]

Youcef Khatib was an independent candidate and former advisor to Zéroual's 1995 election campaign. Hocine Aït Ahmed, the founder of the Socialist Forces Front, campaigned by calling for Algeria to be neither a military dictatorship or Islamic fundamentalist state. Near the end of the campaign Ahmed had a heart attack and had to go to Switzerland for treatment.[5]

Mass withdrawal

Fewer than 24 hours before the elections, all candidates except Bouteflika withdrew, claiming the vote would not be fair.[6] The candidates claimed that electoral fraud by the army ensured that Bouteflika would win the election, and that voter lists were being padded and extra ballot papers being printed to support Bouteflika.[7]

Zéroual refused to meet the candidates to discuss their grievances and criticised them for withdrawing, describing the move as illegal.[6][8]

Results

Official figures showed turnout to be 61% with Bouteflika winning easily. However, the other candidates claimed that turnout was much lower, with Ibrahimi estimating it had only been around 25%.[8]

Candidate		Party	Votes	%
	Abdelaziz Bouteflika	National Liberation Front	7,445,045	73.76
	Ahmed Taleb Ibrahimi	Independent	1,265,594	12.54
	Abdallah Djaballah	Movement for National Reform	400,080	3.96
	Hocine Aït Ahmed	Socialist Forces Front	321,179	3.18
	Mouloud Hamrouche	Independent	314,160	3.11
	Mokdad Sifi	Independent	226,139	2.24
	Youcef Khatib	Independent	121,414	1.20
Total			10,093,611	100.00
Valid votes			10,093,611	94.75
Invalid/blank votes			559,012	5.25
Total votes			10,652,623	100.00
Registered voters/turnout			17,488,759	60.91
Source: Psephos

References

1. "Algeria president springs suprise [sic]". BBC Online. 1998-09-11. Retrieved 2008-08-03.
2. "Algeria launches election campaign". BBC Online. 1999-03-25. Retrieved 2008-08-03.
3. "Algeria to go to polls". BBC Online. 1999-02-13. Retrieved 2008-08-04.
4. "Algerian army plays with fire". Al-Ahram. 1999-03-18. Archived from the original on 2008-05-21. Retrieved 2008-08-04.
5. "Profile: The candidates who pulled out". BBC Online. 1999-04-15. Retrieved 2008-08-04.
6. "Algerian Election Turmoil". CBS News. 1999-04-14. Retrieved 2008-08-04.
7. Burns, John F. (1999-04-16). "With a Field Reduced to One, Algerians Vote". The New York Times. Retrieved 2008-08-03.
8. "Algerian fury over poll result". BBC Online. 1999-04-16. Retrieved 2008-08-04.