Some seventeen million Algerians are called upon to vote Thursday to elect the new five-year members of municipal popular assemblies (APC) and provincial popular assemblies (APW).
According to APS, this vote is taking place within the deadlines fixed legally, namely five months after the renewal of the national popular assembly (APN). It is directed at filling 13,981 APC available seats and 1,960 APW ones.
Since the last administrative districting in force since January 1984, Algeria counts 1,541 municipalities and 48 provinces. Both bodies are managed under the municipal and provincial codes, which revision has already been launched. The new texts, expected in 2003, would provide more prerogatives to the local representatives and the increase of the financial resources.
Voting started Monday in nomadic and enclosed areas. According to the measures provided by the electoral system, constituent bodies and Algerians living abroad vote in their place of residence or by proxy. (Albawaba.com)
