ALGERIA (Al-Majlis Al-Chaabi Al-Watani), Full text (original) (raw)
ALGERIA Al-Majlis Al-Chaabi Al-Watani (National People's Assembly)
- General information
- Electoral system
- Last elections
- Election archive
- Presidency
- Specialized bodies
- Full text
This page contains the full text of the PARLINE database entry on the selected parliamentary chamber, with the exception of Specialized bodies modules which, because of their excessive length, can be only viewed and printed separately.
GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE PARLIAMENTARY CHAMBER ELECTORAL SYSTEM
| Parliament name (generic / translated) | Barlaman / Parliament |
|---|---|
| Structure of parliament | Bicameral |
| Chamber name (generic / translated) | Al-Majlis Al-Chaabi Al-Watani / National People's Assembly |
| Related chamber (for bicameral parliaments) | Majlis al-Oumma / Council of the Nation |
| LEGAL FRAMEWORK | |
| Electoral law | 2 March 1997Last updated on 7 February 2012 (presidential decree) |
| Mode of designation | directly elected 462 |
| Constituencies | 48 multi-member, corresponding to country's wilayas (administrative districts) with seats allotted according to population: one seat for every 80,000 inhabitants and one supplementary seat for every fraction of 40,000; no wilaya has less than four seats. |
| Voting system | Proportional: List proportional representation system using highest remainder formula. Vacancies arising between general elections are filled by the "next-in-line" candidate of the same list or through by-election, according to circumstances; no replacements in last year of Assembly's term. Voting is not compulsory. |
| Voter requirements | - age: 18 years- Algerian citizenship- full possession of civil and political rights- disqualifications: conviction for crime or offence entailing imprisonment and disfranchisement, undischarged bankruptcy, insanity, objectionable conduct during national liberation revolution |
| CANDIDATES | |
| Eligibility | Qualified electors- age: 25 years- Algerian citizenship by birth or possessed for at least 5 years- fulfilment of military service or excused therefrom |
| Incompatibilities | - judges- members of the armed forces- officials of security forces- accountants of wilaya public funds- high-ranking wilaya officials- membership of another people's assembly |
| Candidacy requirements | - nomination through party or independents' list, each list bearing as many names as seats to be filled plus three substitute candidates- independents' list: needs backing of at least 400 registered electors of constituency concerned (for each seat to be filled)- all lists must be submitted no later than 45 days before pollingArticle 2 of the Organic Law sets the following minimum percentage of women on candidate lists according to the number of seats contested in each constituency.- 20% for the constituencies with four seats;- 30% for those with 5 or more seats;- 35% for those with 14 or more seats;- 40%: for those with 32 or more seats;- 50%: for the constituencies aboard. |
LAST ELECTIONS
| Parliament name (generic / translated) | Barlaman / Parliament |
|---|---|
| Structure of parliament | Bicameral |
| Chamber name (generic / translated) | Al-Majlis Al-Chaabi Al-Watani / National People's Assembly |
| Related chamber (for bicameral parliaments) | Majlis al-Oumma / Council of the Nation |
| BACKGROUND | |
| Dates of election / renewal (from/to) | 4 May 2017 |
| Timing and scope of renewal | The ruling coalition comprising President Abdelaziz Bouteflika's National Liberation Front (FNL) and the National Democratic Rally (RND), led by the President's senior adviser Ahmed Ouyahia, retained the majority in the 462-member National People's Assembly. Several opposition parties, including former Prime Minister Ali Benflis's Talaie El-Houriat and the Jil Jadid, called for election boycott, citing possible election fraud. However, most opposition forces, including the Movement of Society for Peace (MSP), led by Mr. Abderrazak Mokri, and the Rally for Culture and Democracy (RCD), led by Mr. Mohcine Belabbas, participated in the elections. The elections saw a low turnout: only 35.37% of 23 million voters went to the polls-down from 43.14% in 2012.The 2017 elections were held against a backdrop of low energy prices that have severely hit the economy of the country (a major gas producer). They were the first to be held after the 2016 constitutional amendments. The amendments reinstated a two-term limit on the presidency (the provision had been lifted in 2008). The amendments also require that the President has support from the majority of parliament to appoint a prime minister, and provide for freedom of speech, freedom of the press, and the right to demonstrate peacefully. |
| Date of previous elections: 10 May 2012Date of dissolution of the outgoing legislature: 23 May 2017Timing of election: Upon normal expiryExpected date of next elections: May 2022Number of seats at stake: 462 (full renewal)Number of candidates: 11,315 (7,679 men and 3,636 women)Percentage of women candidates: 32.1% Number of parties contesting the election: 1,088 lists**796 lists submitted by 54 political parties, 128 by coalition of parties and 163 by independents.Number of parties winning seats: 61 listsAlternation of power: NoNumber of parties in government: 2Names of parties in government: National Liberation Front (FNL) and National Democratic Rally (RND)Date of the first session of the new parliament: 23 May 2017Name of the new Speaker: Mr. Saïd Bouhadja (National Liberation Front, FLN) | |
| STATISTICS | |
| Voter turnout | |
| Round no 1 | 4 May 2017 |
| Number of registered electorsVotersBlank or invalid ballot papersValid votes | 23'251'5038'225'123 (35.37%) |
| Notes | |
| Distribution of votes | |
| Round no 1 Political group Candidates Votes % of votes National Liberation Front (FLN) National Democratic Rally (RND) Others Movement of Society for Peace (MSP) Tajamoua Amel El Djazair (TAJ) Nahda-Adala-Bina Union El-Moustakbel Front ("Future", FM) Socialist Forces Front (FFS) Algerian Popular Movement (MPA) Workers' Party (PT) Rally for Culture and Democracy (RCD) National Republican Alliance (ANR) Movement for National Understanding (MEN) El Karama Party ("Dignity") El Wihda Independent List Young People's Party Free Democratic Front (FDL) National Advocacy Front (FMN) El Ouancharisse Republican Patriotic Rally (RPR) AHD 54 National Party for Solidarity and Development (PNSD) Freedom and Justice Party (PLJ) | |
| Distribution of seats | |
| Round no 1 Political Group Total of seats National Liberation Front (FLN) 161 National Democratic Rally (RND) 100 Others 39 Movement of Society for Peace (MSP) 34 Tajamoua Amel El Djazair (TAJ) 20 Nahda-Adala-Bina Union 15 El-Moustakbel Front ("Future", FM) 14 Socialist Forces Front (FFS) 14 Algerian Popular Movement (MPA) 13 Workers' Party (PT) 11 Rally for Culture and Democracy (RCD) 9 National Republican Alliance (ANR) 6 Movement for National Understanding (MEN) 4 El Karama Party ("Dignity") 3 El Wihda Independent List 3 Young People's Party 2 Free Democratic Front (FDL) 2 National Advocacy Front (FMN) 2 El Ouancharisse 2 Republican Patriotic Rally (RPR) 2 AHD 54 2 National Party for Solidarity and Development (PNSD) 2 Freedom and Justice Party (PLJ) 2 | |
| Distribution of seats according to sex | |
| MenWomenPercent of women | 34311925.76% |
| Distribution of seats according to age | |
| Distribution of seats according to profession | |
| Comments | |
| Sources: National People's Assembly (23.05.2017, 09.08.2017)http://www.conseil-constitutionnel.dz/indexFR.htmhttp://www.interieur.gov.dz/index.php/fr/le-ministere/le-ministère/communiques/202-communiqués-déclarations/1681-fiche-statistique-des-élections-législatives-2017.htmlhttp://www.algerie360.com/algerie/politique/legislatives-2017les-resultats-par-wilaya/http://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-39811329http://www.joradp.dz/TRV/FCons.pdfThe "Others" above comprises the following 39 parties/lists which won one seat each:- National Front for Social Justice (FNJS)- Islah Movement- Algerian National Front (FNA)- Party of Algerian Renewal (PRA)- National Union for Development (UND)- National Movement of Algerian Workers (MNTA)- El Infitah Movement (MEI)- National Freedom Front (FNL)- New Algeria Front (FAN)- El Fedjr El Jadid Party ("New Dawn", PFJ)- Union of Democratic and Social Forces (UFDS)- Movement of Free Citizens (MCL)- El Wafa wa Tawassol- El Noor- Forssan Ouargla- El Taouassol- El Amel- El Wafa - Al Kafaa wal masdakia- Hope and Work Party- The Voice of the People Party- Citizens' Alternative Independent Forum- Eldarrouri- Citizens' Initiative Party- Sawt Echaab- El Hillal- Ennadjah- Union for National Unity (URN)- Equity and Proclamation Party- El Wihda oua ettadaoul- El Badr- El Ichrak- Abnaa Echaab- Izouran Independent Forum- El Amel- Nidaa El Awfiaa- Vieux Ksar- El Moubadara- El Fath Alliance |
PRESIDENCY OF THE PARLIAMENTARY CHAMBER
| Parliament name (generic / translated) | Barlaman / Parliament |
|---|---|
| Structure of parliament | Bicameral |
| Chamber name (generic / translated) | Al-Majlis Al-Chaabi Al-Watani / National People's Assembly |
| Related chamber (for bicameral parliaments) | Majlis al-Oumma / Council of the Nation |
| APPOINTMENT AND TERM OF OFFICE | |
| Title | President of the National People's Assembly |
| Term | - duration: 5 years (term of House)- reasons for interruption of the term: resignation, death, dissolution of the Assembly |
| Appointment | - elected by all Members- at the beginning of the legislature- following validation of mandates and swearing-in |
| Eligibility | - any Member must formally be a candidate- notification of candidature prior to voting |
| Voting system | - formal vote by secret ballot, by a show of hands or by consensus- absolute majority in the first round, simple majority in the second |
| Procedures / results | - the President of the Board who is the most senior in age presides over the Assembly during the voting, assisted by the two youngest members- the Provisional Board and any member interested supervise the voting- the Provisional Board announces the results without delay- the results may be challenged |
| STATUS | |
| Status | - ranks second in the hierarchy of State- represents the Assembly with the public authorities- represents the Assembly in international bodies- presides over the Board- in the absence of the President, a Vice-President can assume his/her role and functions |
| Board | - consists of six Vice-Presidents elected for one-year terms and eligible for re-election- meets weekly- is a true collegial presidency |
| Material facilities | - allowance- expense allowance- official residence- official car- secretariat and staff- bodyguards |
| FUNCTIONS | |
| Organization of parliamentary business | - convenes sessions- establishes and modifies the agenda, within the framework of the Board |
| Chairing of public sittings | - can open, adjourn and close sittings- ensures respect for provisions of the Constitution and Standing Orders- makes announcements concerning the Assembly- takes disciplinary measures in the event of disturbance, and lifts such measures- establishes the list of speakers, gives and withdraws permission to speak- checks the quorum- authenticates the adopted texts and the records of debates- interprets the rules or other regulations governing the life of the Assembly- has discretionary power to give the floor outside the agenda and thus organizes impromptu debates |
| Special powers | - appoints the Clerk- recruits, assigns and promotes staffThe Board:- organizes the services of Parliament- establishes the Assembly's budget- plays a specific role in the supervision of foreign affairs and defence- is responsible for relations with foreign Parliaments- is responsible for safety, and in this capacity, can call the police in the event of disturbance in the Assembly |
| Speaking and voting rights, other functions | - takes the floor in legislative debates- provides guidelines for the interpretation or completion of the text under discussion- takes part in voting- proposes bills or amendments- intervenes in the parliamentary oversight process- transmits the texts adopted to the Head of State for promulgation- can seize the Constitutional Council with regard to the supervision of the constitutionality of laws- must be consulted in the event of dissolution. |
This page was last updated on 9 August 2017
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