As the November 28 local elections approach, political parties and independent lists in Algeria are facing a significant dilemma. Following the review of candidacies by the National Independent Authority for Elections, a large number of applicants have been disqualified, including party leaders, current mayors, and local representatives. These rejections are based on legal provisions regarding political ethics and candidacy criteria.
Faced with this situation, political groups are holding emergency meetings to propose replacements. However, many potential candidates are refusing to step in, arguing that being called upon only after the initial rejection makes them second-choice options. Party leaders fear that if they fail to replace the excluded candidates within the legal deadlines, entire electoral lists could be invalidated, a development that has caused failures in past elections.