Supporters for Algerian reconciliation referendum

Supporters for the Algerian reconciliation referendum being voted on assert that approving the charter permits proceeding forward in the rebuilding of Algeria's social and economic development.

In this context, the secretary general of the National Liberation Front (ruling party) Abdul Aziz Balkhadem stressed that there is a great support by the Algerians for the national reconciliation policy.

He said in a statement to Al-Jazeera satellite TV that glimpses for the national reconciliation policy emerged during the past years, reflected in the political stability and the improvement of security conditions.

He considered that the pardon referendum is not a prescribed project on the Algerians from a higher authority because it is being put to the public for their approval.

Balkhadem denied that the charter will be a path for persons involved in terrorist crimes to escape punishment, recalling that the charter excludes persons who had a hand in the collective massacres or violations in blowing up incidents in public places.

The charter, however, calls to "give up judicial pursuit against those who stopped their armed activities and dropped the guns, and those wanted in Algeria or abroad, and those who surrender themselves voluntarily." The referendum bans former officials in the Islamic Front for Salvation from practicing any political activity.