Algeria votes in parliamentary elections amid public apathy and football fever

Algerians are casting their ballots in parliamentary elections overshadowed by cost-of-living concerns, low campaign turnout and restrictions on some opposition candidates, with nearly 25 million voters choosing 407 lower-house lawmakers. © Reuters

Algerians are voting in parliamentary elections on Thursday, with cost of living concerns, questions over political freedoms and the national football team’s World Cup run all competing for public attention.

Nearly 25 million registered voters across Africa’s largest country by territory are being asked to choose from 1,235 candidates competing for 407 seats in the lower house of parliament. The deputies will serve five-year terms.