The campaign for Algeria's local elections, scheduled for November 28, 2026, will officially begin on November 5. The announcement was made by Mohamed Lahcen Zeghidi, vice-president of the Independent National Electoral Authority (ANIE). This follows an operation to randomly allocate airtime for candidates on public audiovisual media. The allocation aims to organize interventions by representatives of political parties and independent lists during the campaign.
The ANIE has confirmed that candidate interventions will be recorded at Algerian Television and National Radio studios, 72 hours before the campaign launch. The recordings will be broadcast starting November 5. On this occasion, representatives of participating parties and independent lists signed a charter on electoral ethics, committing to respect the rules governing the electoral competition.
A total of 6,065 lists have been submitted for the two types of local assemblies, comprising 162,864 candidates. For communal elections, 5,631 lists were submitted, including 5,371 from political parties, 239 independent lists, and 21 lists formed through alliances between political formations. These lists include 141,388 candidates. For wilaya assemblies, 434 lists were registered, consisting of 405 party lists, 24 independent lists, and five alliance lists, with a total of 21,476 candidates.
The number of candidates for communal assemblies has increased by 22.7% compared to the 2021 local elections, while the number of candidates for wilaya assemblies has risen by 13.56%. The ANIE is working to ensure the necessary organizational conditions for the smooth conduct of the elections. Mohamed Lahcen Zeghidi emphasized the ANIE's full availability and mobilization to guarantee the success of the electoral event.
The local elections will take place in a context marked by an evolution in the number of candidatures compared to previous elections. The ANIE's efforts aim to provide a fair and transparent electoral process. All stakeholders, including political parties and independent candidates, have been encouraged to adhere to the electoral code of conduct.
The Algerian authorities have taken steps to ensure the integrity of the electoral process. The ANIE has been working closely with various stakeholders to address any concerns and provide necessary support. The local elections are seen as a crucial step in the country's democratic process.
The elections will be a significant test of Algeria's democratic institutions. With a large number of candidates and lists participating, the elections are expected to be closely watched by both domestic and international observers. The ANIE's efforts to ensure a smooth and transparent electoral process will be crucial in maintaining public trust.
Key points
- The campaign for Algeria's local elections will start on November 5, 2026.
- A total of 162,864 candidates are participating in the local elections.
- The number of candidates has increased compared to the 2021 local elections.
