Algiers: Algeria's legislative election progressed to its concluding constitutional phase on Wednesday, as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) forwarded the provisional election results to the Constitutional Court for examination and certification. This critical step is set to shape the final composition of parliament, enabling lawmakers to elect a speaker and initiate the process of forming a new government.

According to Anadolu Agency, the election authority announced that acting head Karim Khelfan transferred the provisional election documentation to Constitutional Court President Lela Aslaoui. These documents include essential vote-counting and tabulation records required for the court's assessment of potential appeals and the certification of final results.

With the records now under review, the election process transitions into a constitutional examination. As per Algeria's election law, political parties, candidate lists, and individual candidates have a 48-hour window post-provisional results announcement to contest the outcomes. The Constitutional Court is tasked with responding to these appeals before delivering rulings within specified legal timelines. Depending on the court's findings, it may annul contested results or amend and declare the legally elected candidate.

Following the appeal examination, the Constitutional Court is responsible for certifying and announcing the final results. According to Article 211 of the election law, this must be completed within ten days of receiving the provisional records. Once certified, the results are published in the Official Gazette, detailing voter turnout and the names of elected lawmakers. Subsequently, the People's National Assembly will hold a special session to elect its speaker.

Provisional results indicated a majority of seats were secured by parties supporting President Abdelmadjid Tebboune, with several opposition parties re-entering parliament after their 2021 election boycott. Under Article 103 of the Constitution, a prime minister is appointed if a presidential majority is achieved, whereas a head of government is appointed in the case of a parliamentary majority.

Additional provisions, including Article 104, dictate the president's role in appointing government members based on proposals from the prime minister or head of government. Article 105 requires the president to appoint a prime minister to form a government and develop an action plan if the presidential camp holds the majority. Alternatively, a head of government from the parliamentary majority will be appointed, with a 30-day timeframe to form a cabinet and prepare its program, failing which another head of government is appointed.

The provisional results, announced by Khelfan, showed the National Liberation Front leading with 90 seats, followed by the National Democratic Rally with 73 seats, and the Future Front with 59 seats. The Movement of Society for Peace secured 43 seats, while the National Construction Movement won 38. Independent candidates garnered 32 seats. Among the opposition returning after a previous boycott, the Socialist Forces Front won 12 seats, the Voice of the People party secured 17, the Rally for Culture and Democracy won four seats, and the Workers' Party took three.

Upon certification by the Constitutional Court, Algeria's newly elected parliament will convene to elect its speaker and begin the formal process of forming the next government.