Electoral system for national legislature

Nohlen et al. Elections in Africa: A Data Handbook. 1999

Previously, the pre-1989 electoral system allowed for multiple candidates for national elections though they were all drawn from the National Liberation Front (FLN) party.

In 1991, a two-ballot system was introduced, under the consideration that an Islamist victory by the Islamic Salvation Front (FIS) was to be prevented. The rationale was that fewer seats would be decided in the first round and parties would cooperate with the old ruling party to prevent an ‘Islamist’ victory. Public demonstration against electoral reforms by secular opposition parties let to the president calling in the army to restore order, declaring martial law and postponing parliamentary elections for a few months.

Eventually, the parliamentary elections would took place. However, contrary to the drafters’ intentions, the second ballot system benefited the FIS and almost ensured its attainment of a 2/3 majority in the second round. Subsequently, the military suspended the second round of parliamentary elections. The denouncing of the Islamist electoral victory would thus trigger the long-lasting Algerian Civil War.