Algeria’s Presidential Elections: Southern Voters Seek Comprehensive Development Programs for Remote Areas

Hope for Tangible Improvements in Remote Southern Regions

Residents from the border district of El-Borma, located 420 kilometers southeast of Ouargla and encompassing the communities of Chouachine, Zenaiga, and Rhourd El-Baguel, conveyed their hopes for a president who would focus on local development. The harsh desert environment and the distance from major urban centers have made daily life challenging for the residents of these areas, who now see the election as a crucial opportunity for change.

“I hope that the future President will work towards accelerating development efforts in this border region and improving living conditions for the local population,” said Hadj Kadouri Aoun, a livestock farmer who had just cast his vote at the mobile polling station in Ain Amghar, 25 kilometers from El-Borma. Aoun, like many others in the area, faces daily hardships and hopes that new leadership will bring the much-needed attention and resources to their community.

El-Hadi Brahim, another voter registered at the same mobile station, highlighted the aspirations of the younger generation in the region. “The youth here are eager to benefit from the employment schemes promoted by the government. Additionally, it is crucial that the wealth generated by camel breeding, a key economic activity in this pastoral region, receives more attention,” Brahim asserted, underscoring the economic potential that remains untapped in these remote areas.

Boudjemaâ Talbi, a local farmer, expressed his support for a president who would continue the country’s development efforts and provide sustained support to the region’s herders. His vote, he said, was cast with the hope of securing a future where the agricultural and pastoral communities of southern Algeria could thrive under more favorable conditions.

Voices from Tindouf Echo Similar Sentiments

The sense of civic duty and hope for regional development was similarly palpable in the wilaya of Tindouf. Voters at the mobile polling station in Houaouiche, on the outskirts of Oum-Laâssel, shared their satisfaction with having the opportunity to participate in this significant national event.

Mahmoud Laâla, who was met at a polling station situated 200 kilometers from Tindouf, expressed immense pride in being able to vote so close to his home, sparing him the long and arduous journey that voters in such remote areas often face. “I am very proud to find a polling station near my tent, allowing me to fulfill my civic duty without the burden

of traveling long distances,” Laâla stated. He went on to express his hopes that the future president would prioritize the development of remote regions like his, emphasizing the need for increased accessibility and improved living standards.

Hadja Addala Mebarek, another voter from the region, echoed this sense of pride and highlighted the significance of the election for rural women. “I am very proud to contribute to the choice of the country’s president,” Mebarek said, noting the transparency and organization of the voting process. She emphasized, “It is the right of rural women to vote and express their choice in various electoral events to contribute to the building of a new Algeria.” Her words reflect the broader desire for inclusivity and recognition of the vital role that women play in shaping the nation’s future, particularly in rural areas.

Strong Turnout Among Rural and Nomadic Populations

The National Independent Authority for Elections (ANIE) reported a remarkable turnout among rural and nomadic populations in Tindouf, where 12 mobile polling stations were deployed. These stations allowed voters to cast their ballots in areas where access to fixed polling sites would have been challenging or impossible. The voters’ enthusiasm for participating in this election underscores the deep connection between civic engagement and the hope for tangible improvements in their daily lives.

The early voting process, which began on Wednesday in accordance with the electoral law, involved 51 mobile polling stations across the southern wilayas of Ouargla, Djanet, Tindouf, Tamanrasset, In-Guezzam, and Béchar. ANIE ensured that all necessary human and material resources were in place to facilitate a smooth voting process, enabling residents in these secluded areas to make their voices heard in this critical election.

A Critical Juncture for Algeria’s Southern Regions

As the presidential election approaches, the residents of southern Algeria, particularly those in remote and underserved areas, are looking to the future with a mixture of hope and expectation. For these voters, the election is not just about choosing a leader; it is about electing someone who will bring real, meaningful change to their lives—someone who will recognize the unique challenges they face and work tirelessly to address them. The call for comprehensive development programs that cater to the needs of these regions is loud and clear, and the success of the next president will be measured by how well these voices are heard and acted upon.