Algerian legislative campaign faces low turnout as World Cup draws attention

The first week of the legislative election campaign for the July 2 vote in Algeria has passed with little voter engagement. Candidates have struggled to capture public interest, and campaign posters remain largely absent; in the affluent Hydra district of Algiers, only one of twelve advertising spaces is in use.

The independent electoral authority (ANIE) issued a reminder on June 17 urging all candidates to respect electoral ethics, prohibiting the use of religious sites, state resources, local authorities, public institutions, workplaces, or any official position to influence voters. Party leaders from the RND, FLN, Front El Moustakbal, MSP, Sawt Chaâb, FFS, El‑Bina, and the Workers' Party have toured the wilayas, holding meetings and urging strong voter participation despite the distraction of the 2026 World Cup. The campaign’s low visibility and the need for higher turnout are highlighted as crucial factors for the election’s outcome.