Algeria's National Independent Election Authority (NIEA) announced on Wednesday, September 23, 2026, the initial results of the collective candidacy withdrawal process for the upcoming local elections scheduled for November 28, 2026. According to the NIEA, a total of 12,881 candidacy applications were submitted for municipal councils across 1,541 municipalities. For provincial councils, 672 applications were received across 69 provinces.
The NIEA provided a detailed breakdown of the candidacy applications. For municipal councils, 12,557 applications were submitted under the auspices of a political party, distributed among 34 parties, while 20 applications were submitted under the auspices of a coalition of political parties, and 304 applications were submitted as independent lists across 214 municipalities. Additionally, 2,973,261 individual signature forms were collected, with five applications submitted under the auspices of a political party.
For provincial councils, 672 candidacy applications were received, including 644 applications under the auspices of a political party, distributed among 31 parties, three applications under the auspices of a coalition of political parties, and 25 applications as independent lists across 21 provinces. The NIEA also reported that 536,389 individual signature forms were collected.
The NIEA highlighted that the exceptional review process for electoral lists concluded on the previous Thursday, in preparation for the election of municipal and provincial council members scheduled for November 28, 2026. The authority had previously provided explanations on the procedures for withdrawing collective candidacy applications and individual signature forms for those wishing to run in the local elections.
The NIEA emphasized that the process of withdrawing collective candidacy applications and individual signature forms for the benefit of a candidate list takes place at the headquarters of the provincial coordinator of the independent authority for the electoral district in question. The authority also called on those wishing to run to submit a declaration of deposit of the list that meets the legally required conditions.
In preparation for the electoral process, the NIEA has taken steps to enhance its field readiness and strengthen its local structures by appointing provincial and municipal coordinators. This aims to ensure the proper performance of tasks entrusted to it across various provinces in the country. The authority has also opened channels of communication and coordination with various stakeholders in the electoral process.
NIEA President, Said Arous, recently emphasized during a regional meeting in Oran, in preparation for the local elections, the importance of the commitment of provincial and municipal coordinators to total neutrality and objectivity and the strict application of the organic law related to elections. Arous noted that the local elections are not just a date on the electoral calendar but a national event directly related to citizens.
Key points
- Algeria's NIEA reports 12,881 municipal and 672 provincial candidacy applications for the upcoming local elections.
