Algeria's Ministry of National Defence has claimed that four Moroccan nationals were among six people arrested over allegations of attempting to disrupt the country's recent legislative elections and discourage citizens from voting, an announcement made days after the polls recorded the lowest voter turnout in Algeria's history.
In a statement carried by Algerian state media, the ministry said the six suspects belonged to what it describes as the "MAK terrorist movement," adding that four of them were Moroccan citizens allegedly residing in Algeria illegally.
According to the ministry, the arrests were carried out by the Central Military Security Services in Tizi Ouzou, within the First Military Region, following what it described as the "optimal exploitation of intelligence." It said the operation formed part of efforts to safeguard public security and protect the electoral process.
The ministry alleged that the group had been active during the legislative elections with the aim of disrupting the vote and preventing citizens from participating. However, it did not provide evidence or disclose details about the specific acts allegedly committed by the suspects.
Algerian authorities further described the arrests as proof of the vigilance of the country's security services, claiming they had thwarted a plot targeting Algeria's security and stability.
The announcement comes against the backdrop of Algeria's July 2 parliamentary elections, which registered an unprecedented level of voter abstention. The National Independent Election Authority said turnout reached just 20.79 percent among nearly 24 million eligible voters, the lowest participation rate ever recorded in a legislative election in the country.
The figure marked a sharp decline from the 30 percent turnout reported during the 2021 parliamentary elections, which returned the long-ruling National Liberation Front (FLN) as the largest political force in parliament.
Political observers say the timing of the announcement is notable, as the government has faced mounting scrutiny over the historically weak participation. Analysts have widely interpreted the low turnout as a reflection of growing public distrust in Algeria's political institutions and electoral process.
The election campaign itself was widely viewed as lacking momentum compared with previous legislative races. Public enthusiasm remained subdued throughout the campaign, while calls for a boycott gained traction among segments of the electorate.
The vote was also preceded by controversy over candidate eligibility. Algeria's National Independent Election Authority rejected 31 of 108 electoral lists, citing reasons including alleged links to "dirty money" and failure to comply with legal requirements regarding the representation of women, youth and university graduates.
Several international media outlets and political analysts have argued that the exceptionally low turnout reflected widespread public disillusionment with Algeria's political system, with many voters believing that electoral outcomes remain largely predetermined by the ruling establishment.
