Opposition Algerian presidential candidate sure he will beat Bouteflika

Algerian opposition candidate Ali Benflis yesterday reiterated his certitude that he will win the upcoming presidential elections slated to take place on Thursday.

He promised Algerians a “surprise” on the day of elections while warning that Algerians would no longer stay silent towards frauds in the elections.

Speaking to Sky News Arabic, Benflis said he received a lot of support when he held electoral conferences in the different governorates. He noted he is sure he’ll win the elections. “Wait for April 17 and you will see the surprise,” he said.

The former Algerian prime minister and veteran human rights activist, Benflis lost elections in 2004 in favour of the current president, who is running for fourth term, Abdulaziz Bouteflika. Benflis alleged the elections were riddled with fraud.

He said Algerians would not keep silent in the face of electoral fraud, “Algerians will not remain silent this time”.

He criticised the current regime saying corruption dominated it while Bouteflika was strong and healthy. He said Bouteflika did not make any reforms and wondered how the situation would be now he’s sick.

The main opposition candidate noted that the youth of Algerian want a popular and peaceful change; they do not want to remain marginalised.

Though he does not have resources to match Bouteflika’s re-election campaign, he said he has the support of the youth on social media.