Algeria's first free presidential election, November 1995

A likely Islamic Salvation Front win in Algeria's legislative elections of December 1991 led to the cancellation of the results. In November 1995 relatively free presidential elections were held in Algeria as the process of democratisation re‐started.

Since the democratic process was brought to an abrupt halt in Algeria in January 1992, the country experienced its first ever plural presidential election. General Zeroual, appointed in January 1994, promised presidential elections would take place before the end of 1995. The news was received with mixed feelings. On the one hand, the idea was dismissed by the main opposition parties, as elections would only serve to legitimise Zeroual's system, and thus they called for it to be boycotted. On the other hand, it represented the only way for further political reforms. A mandate from the people is what a new head of state needs which can only be achieved through the ballot box.

Whatever the arguments, this presidential election represents a milestone in Algeria's political history. Its significance lies in the fact that it is the first ever multi‐party presidential election. In this article I shall analyse the background, preparations, events and outcomes of this election with particular emphasis on the following questions: was the contest open and did the major actors have equal opportunities to participate? Were there any irregularities in the voting procedures that could question thé validity of the results? Was access to the media given equally to all candidates? Was enough information made available about the candidates? Would the ‘majority’ of the electorate obey the call to boycott the election? Finally, what do the results of the election mean for the future of the Algerian political system?