The National Independent Elections Authority (السلطة الوطنية المستقلة للانتخابات) has finalized its field deployment across various wilayas of the country, completing the appointment of its provincial coordinators. This development marks a new phase in the preparation process for the municipal and wilaya popular councils elections. These elections are officially scheduled for November 28, with Presidential Decree No. 26-284 formally calling the electoral body to participate in the election of municipal and wilaya popular councils. The Authority's full deployment ensures operational readiness at the provincial level as the country moves closer to the scheduled polls, signifying a key step in the electoral calendar.
Coordinators Appointed Ahead of Elections
The National Independent Elections Authority has now appointed 69 coordinators across the country, reaching the full complement required for its operational structure. These newly appointed officials are set to face their initial field test as the electoral process transitions from organizational preparation to the key phase of receiving candidacies from prospective candidates. This transition is a critical juncture where the practical application of electoral procedures will be tested.
Saad Arous, the new president of the Independent Authority, oversaw the appointment ceremonies for 40 provincial coordinators. These appointments were conducted via videoconference on Tuesday, as confirmed by the Authority. This virtual ceremony marked a significant step in establishing the local operational structure for the upcoming elections, ensuring that leadership is in place across a wide geographical area. The completion of these appointments follows an earlier phase where 29 coordinators were finalized on Monday. This staggered approach ensured a full rollout of the Authority's provincial leadership ahead of the critical candidacy submission period, allowing for a methodical and organized establishment of its field presence. The appointment of the last batch of provincial coordinators signals the Authority's readiness to manage the next stages of the electoral process effectively.
Clarifying Candidacy Withdrawal Process
The Independent Authority issued a statement on Tuesday, providing clarifications regarding the procedures for withdrawing the collective candidacy declaration file and individual signature collection forms. This process for withdrawing collective candidacy declaration files and individual signature collection forms will specifically take place at the headquarters of the provincial coordinator of the Independent Authority. This applies to the electoral district where a candidate is seeking to submit their candidacy, ensuring that all withdrawal procedures are handled locally and efficiently. This measure aims to streamline the process for candidates and maintain order in the submission and withdrawal phases.
The Authority further specified that the submission of the list declaration, provided it meets all legal requirements, will commence at the provincial coordinator's headquarters. This submission period is set to begin on Monday, August 31, 2026, with operating hours from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. These defined hours and specific starting date provide clarity for all prospective candidates and electoral agents. For any inquiries regarding these procedures, the Independent Authority has established an official email address. Individuals can send their questions to [email protected] for clarification, ensuring direct access to official information and guidance. Additional details and full information about the electoral process are also available to the public. This information can be accessed directly on the Authority's official website, https://ina-elections.dz/, serving as a central hub for all electoral guidelines and updates.
Key Election Law Requirements
The electoral framework governing the upcoming municipal and wilaya popular councils elections has been updated through Organic Law No. 26-05, dated April 4, 2026, which amends and supplements Organic Law No. 21-01 concerning the election system. This legislative update introduces several new provisions aimed at enhancing representation and ensuring fair competition.
Under the revised law, candidate lists for municipal and wilaya popular councils must exceed the number of seats to be filled by specific margins. In constituencies with an odd number of seats, the number of candidates must be seven more than the available seats, while in constituencies with an even number of seats, the number of candidates must be six more. This requirement aims to provide voters with a broader choice and ensure strong competition for each position.
The law also mandates specific demographic representation within candidate lists. Lists are required to include one-third women candidates, with non-compliance leading to rejection of the entire list. This provision shows the commitment to promoting gender equality in local governance. However, this requirement for women's representation does not apply to municipalities with a population not exceeding 20,000 inhabitants, acknowledging potential demographic differences in smaller communities. At least half of the candidates on any given list must be under 40 years old on election day, fostering youth participation and ensuring a generational balance in elected bodies. A minimum of one-third of the candidates must also possess a university education, aiming to raise the overall educational profile of elected officials and ensure a certain level of expertise in local administration.
Article 188 of the law imposes restrictions on certain officials and employees, prohibiting them from running for municipal council membership during their tenure and for one year after leaving office within their respective jurisdictions. This measure is designed to prevent conflicts of interest and ensure a clear separation between administrative roles and political aspirations. Article 190 extends these ineligibility provisions to candidates for wilaya popular councils as well, applying the same principles of integrity and conflict prevention to regional legislative bodies. These legal stipulations collectively aim to ensure a transparent, representative, and fair electoral process for the upcoming municipal and wilaya popular councils elections.
