Ahead of the November referendum in Algeria, the country’s president, Abdelmadjid Tebboune, has created a new National Commission charged with the task of reviewing its election laws in a bid to prepare a draft version of the organic law on the country’s electoral system.
The commission’s charge, contained in a statement made public by the president’s office, also revealed that it would be headed by Ahmed Laaraba, a university professor and member of the UN International Law Commission.
“On that occasion, the President of the Republic has given orientations to the National Commission members regarding their missions, particularly the definition of transparent electoral standards which make a total break with the past unconstructive practices, by prohibiting the quota system in the distribution of seats and the purchase of consciences, and by separating money and politics, regarded as a necessary prerequisite for moralizing the political sphere and ensuring elections that truly reflect the people’s willingness, which would enable democratic, honest, reliable and high-level institutions, open to youth and civil society, to emerge,” the statement read.
The commission in Algeria will be composed of representatives from the Ministry of Interior, Local Authorities and National Planning, and seven professors in law from the Universities of Algiers, Tizi Ouzou, Setif, Oran, Tlemcen, Sidi Belabbes, and Tipaza.
The statement also confirmed that the President “pledged during his electoral campaign that the state shall bear the expenses of young people who wish to join the election race so that they do not fall prey to corrupt or suspicious funds.”
A Referendum Set For November
President Tebboune had earlier in the year, pledged to carry out political and economic reforms as a solution to issues raised during mass protests that eventually forced his predecessor, Abdelaziz Bouteflika out of office. One such reform will be attended to in November where Algerians will vote on a new constitution that would give the parliament and prime minister more power in governance.
“Our country will hold, in early November, a referendum on the draft revised Constitution to lay the foundations for a democratic political regime that ensures the protection of rights and freedoms enshrines the balance of power and guarantees the moralization of public life,” the president announced.
