Over 24 Million Algerians to Vote for Constitutional Amendment Sunday

More than 24 million Algerians are expected to head for the polling stations on Sunday to pronounce, by referendum, on the draft of constitutional amendment amid the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic, according to the Algerian Press Service on Saturday.

Meanwhile, the Algerian National Independent Authority of Elections (ANIE) has developed a special health protocol on the occasion of the referendum to avoid the risks of the spread of the pandemic.

ANIE Chairman Mohamed Charfi stressed that all anti-coronavirus measures had been taken to facilitate the voting process during Sunday’s referendum on the amendment of the constitution.

The polling stations will open at 8.00 a.m. and close at 7.00 p.m. (Algiers Local Time) and the ballot will last only one day, under article no. 32 of the organic law related to the electoral system.

However, voting could be brought forward by 72 hours in remote areas and by 120 hours for the national community abroad, to facilitate the vote of electors “exclusively” concerned by these provisions, according to the same law.

Meantime, Chief of Staff of the People’s National Army Lieutenant General Said Chanegriha ordered the National Gendarmerie, in coordination with the other security bodies, taking all the necessary measures to secure polling stations and centers nationwide.

The constitution amendment is one of the main electoral commitments of Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune.