2009 Algerian presidential election

Presidential elections were held in Algeria on 9 April 2009. The result was a victory for incumbent President Abdelaziz Bouteflika, who was re-elected with 90% of the vote.

2009 Algerian presidential election

← 2004 9 April 2009 2014 →
Registered	20,595,683
Turnout	74.56%
Nominee Abdelaziz Bouteflika Louisa Hanoune Party FLN PT Popular vote 13,019,787 649,632 Percentage 90.23% 4.50%
Results by province
President before election Abdelaziz Bouteflika FLN Elected President Abdelaziz Bouteflika FLN

Background

The Council of Ministers announced on 3 November 2008 that a planned constitutional revision would remove the two-term limit on the presidency that was previously included in Article 74, thereby enabling Bouteflika to run for a third term.^[1] The People's National Assembly endorsed the removal of the term limit on 12 November 2008, with only the Rally for Culture and Democracy (RCD) voting against its removal.^[2]

Candidates

Thirteen candidates submitted papers to contest the election, but only six were approved to run:^[3]

• Abdelaziz Bouteflika, incumbent president and leader of the National Liberation Front. Supported by the Democratic National Rally
• Louisa Hanoune, candidate of the Workers' Party
• Moussa Touati [fr], candidate of the Algerian National Front (FNA)
• Belaïd Mohand-Oussaïd [fr], independent candidate supported by his Party of Justice and Liberty (which was not recognised at the time of the election)^[4]
• Djahid Younsi [ar], candidate of the Movement for National Reform
• Ali Fawzi Rebaine, candidate of Ahd 54

Although some urged former President Liamine Zéroual to run, he said in a published statement on 14 January 2009 that he would not, while also suggesting that it was not in the best interests of democracy for Bouteflika to run for a third term.^[5]

RCD President Saïd Sadi announced on 15 January 2009 that the RCD would not participate in the elections, which he described as a "pathetic and dangerous circus", saying that to participate "would be tantamount to complicity in an operation of national humiliation".^[2]

Bouteflika announced his independent candidacy for a third term at a rally in Algiers on 12 February,^[6] and officially submitted his candidacy on 23 February, shortly before the deadline.^[7]

Results

The official turnout of 75% was disputed by the opposition, with some claiming it was as low as 16%.^[8]

Candidate		Party	Votes	%
	Abdelaziz Bouteflika	National Liberation Front	13,019,787	90.23
	Louisa Hanoune	Workers' Party	649,632	4.50
	Moussa Touati [fr]	Algerian National Front	294,411	2.04
	Djahid Younsi [ar]	Movement for National Reform	208,549	1.45
	Belaïd Mohand-Oussaïd [fr]	Independent	133,315	0.92
	Ali Fawzi Rebaine	Ahd 54	124,559	0.86
Total			14,430,253	100.00
Valid votes			14,430,253	93.97
Invalid/blank votes			925,771	6.03
Total votes			15,356,024	100.00
Registered voters/turnout			20,595,683	74.56
Source: Electoral Studies