Lack of state funding concerns Algerian presidential candidates

2009-03-17

Algeria promised 15 million dinars to each candidate to help with their electoral campaigns, but no money has been made available. The lack of funding is a growing concern for candidates.

By Nazim Fethi for Magharebia in Algiers – 17/03/09

[Getty Images] According to one campaign, the budget for printing alone will exceed state contributions.

As the launch of the electoral campaign in Algeria draws near, candidates are complaining about lack of state funding and difficulties to finance their campaigns. With just days remaining before the election period begins, some candidates are accusing the government of "ruining the chances" of others.

Independent candidate Mohand Oussaid Belaid, also known as Mohamed Said, said that his team filed a request last week to receive the promised state funding, but they have yet to receive assistance. "This could indicate a desire to ruin our chances even before the campaign period begins," he said.

Successful electoral campaigns require considerable resources. The candidates need to purchase TV and radio ads, hold meetings and conferences to present their platforms and cover numerous operational expenses. The printing budget for campaign posters and pictures for Said's campaign will cost close to 20 million dinars, said the candidate. This already exceeds the 15 million dinars granted by the state.

The Algerian National Front (FNA) has chosen to run a "modest campaign" to overcome the shortage of money, they said. Spokesman Mohamed Tin said that his party was able to collect a "small budget" for their candidate.

"To raise funds," he said, "we resorted to contributions from party offices in all 48 wilayas, campaigners and our MPs. The aid granted by the state won't even be enough to cover our preparations for the campaign."

In contrast, President Bouteflika's team appears to have no such problem. Staffers are busy preparing his campaign even though the official campaign period has not yet begun.

On Thursday (March 12th), Bouteflika's campaign staff held a meeting in Algiers to discuss ways to encourage voter turnout on April 9th. The team is particularly concerned about low participation from voters in the capital in the last elections.

"It's the central hub of Algeria," Abdelaziz Belkhadem, Secretary-General of the National Liberation Front (FLN), said about Algiers.

"It's an important centre for the political decision-making process and it must serve as an example to other wilayas."

Although they are dealing with the same financing problems as the other campaigns, supporters of El Islah candidate Mohamed Djahid Younsi are confident.

"We do have some funding problems," said Djamel Benabdeslem, Vice-President of El Islah, "but we're counting on the determination of our campaigners." He also said that "Bouteflika is using state funds."

Aissa Belmeki, campaign manager for Ahd 54 leader Mohamed Ali Fawzi Rebain, agreed. "The president has already finished his campaign before its official launch," he said. "We're not playing a fair game."

Mohamed Said agreed with this assessment. "This shows right from the beginning a lack of fairness and equality," he concluded.