HIBAPRESS – Ahmed Al-Musaid
The city of Saidia is experiencing political tension as the date for the partial elections in the 10th district approaches, scheduled for May 5th. A "data war" has erupted between the local branch of the Party of Progress and Socialism (PPS) and Abdelkader Benmoumen, the head of the territorial council affiliated with the Istiqlal Party, transforming the pre-election atmosphere into an open confrontation about the ethics of entrusted work and the integrity of the electoral process.
The chapters of the confrontation began when the local office of the "Book" party issued a strongly worded statement condemning the head of the Saidia council for "the blatant exploitation of influence". According to the statement, the president openly announced via a post his readiness to lead the campaign of the Istiqlal Party candidate, which the party considered a "violation of the principle of neutrality required of public officials."
The accusations of progress and socialism did not stop at the political stance, but extended to include monitoring "suspicious movements" of council cars outside working hours and in the vicinity of cafes in the 10th district, considering this as the use of council mechanisms for electoral purposes, and demanding that local authorities intervene to ensure equal opportunities.
In response, the head of the Saidia council did not delay in issuing a clarifying statement in which he refuted, in detail, what was stated in his opponents' statement. The president described the accusations of exploiting influence as "words returned to their owners that lack any material evidence," considering them an attempt to mislead public opinion and spread false allegations against the activists of the "Mizan" party.
Regarding the most controversial point related to "council cars," the response clarified that the cars that were monitored do not belong to the Saidia council, but rather belong to neighboring territorial councils or regional councils, stressing that the involvement of the council in this file is "systematic deception." The president also stressed that supporting any candidate is a "guaranteed constitutional right," accusing the complaining parties of resorting to "ready-made accusations" whenever they felt their position was weak in the field.
Between a "condemnatory statement" that sees the president's movements as a violation of the law, and a "clarifying statement" that sees it as an exercise of a legitimate political right, the residents of Saidia are awaiting what the next few days will bring. While the Party of Progress and Socialism hints at resorting to institutions and the law, the Istiqlal Party is betting on "ballot boxes" to respond to what it described as "illusory battles."
