Elections in Algeria

There is just over a week to go until Algerians head to the polls to elect a new parliament. The elections, which are being held on time, are a great opportunity for the regime to bolster its legitimacy and for opposition groups to increase their power to influence political reforms from within the governing structures of the state; however, to what degree the Bouteflika government will allow them to do so is yet to be tested. The government is expected to deploy 60,000 troops in the coming days to safeguard the poll. These measures are being implemented to quash unrest, particularly in the capital. A number of opposition parties and activists groups have called for a boycott of the poll and are expected to organise protests. Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb has also threatened to conduct attacks during the period. During April, at least 11 incidents were reported in the north of the country. The number represented a spike in terrorist related incidents. While still low compared to previous years and largely expected (attacks increase in the warmed months) the incidents serve as a warning that the group maintains an active a deadly presence. Don’t expect AQIM to disrupt the poll significantly; however, anticipate at least one major attack, possibly in an urban setting.