Unity crucial for Algeria's development

In any country, establishing democracy is a long-term process that requires great effort and more importantly, a collective approach that involves the various segments of society. Algeria is yet another country that will be looking at setting the pace for its future following Thursday's election that will determine not only the direction of the democratic process but also the role that it will play in country's development.

The opening legislative elections in Algeria have been welcomed as much as criticised. The government maintains that the elections are freer and more transparent than before. The authorities had allowed in 500 foreign observers, mainly from the European Union, the African Union and other groups. They later blocked their access to national election lists. President Abdul Aziz Bouteflika's National Liberation Front won 220 out of 462 seats up for grabs, improving on its share in the outgoing national assembly. Green Algeria and the four other Islamist parties contesting the polls won only 66 seats. In a statement, the Green Algeria alliance said: "There has been large-scale manipulation of the real results announced in the regions, an irrational exaggeration of these results to favour the administration parties."

The elections were challenging for a number of reasons. The 21.6 million voters were suspicious of the process given that the road towards power-sharing and reform has been difficult, and at times pointless. This perception is perhaps more evident among the young population who have high hopes that changes in the political scene will bring about better social services, job opportunities and education.

What is important for Algeria is not who won as much as how the winning party will bring the people together to build a nation that abides by the law and respects civil liberties and rights.