Algerians on Thursday voted in parliamentary elections amid concerns over turnout after a campaign season marked by low attendance at official campaign events. Electoral authorities barred 269 candidates from running for the 407-seat lower house of parliament ahead of the vote.
Algerians voted on Thursday to elect a new parliament in a ballot marked by apathy and the disqualification of several hopefuls, with turnout projected to hit an all-time low.
About 25 million eligible voters are choosing 407 lawmakers in the lower house of parliament from 1,235 candidates amid cost-of-living concerns and shrinking freedoms, according to rights groups.
Polling stations, which opened at 8:00 am local time (0700 GMT) and closed at 8:00 pm, were nearly empty in the capital Algiers as of early afternoon, an AFP journalist reported.
But images broadcast on national television showed people lining up to cast their ballots in some parts of the country, including in the northwestern province of El Aricha.
The electoral board announced at night a provisional 20-percent turnout. If confirmed, it would account for a record low in comparison to 23 percent in 2021.
"These figures are provisional. It is certain that they will change," said Karim Khelfane, the interim head of the the National Independent Elections Authority (ANIE).
Voter turnout had reached 11 percent nationwide as of mid-afternoon, and nearly 10 percent among those registered to cast ballots overseas, state TV reported, citing the election authority.
"We came to fulfil our duty, hoping for something good. That's all I have to say," Djammel Bouakkaz, a 74-year-old retiree, told AFP at a polling station in Algiers.
Watch'Important for the nation': Algerians come out to vote for new parliament
Candidates blocked
The last parliamentary vote in 2021 saw a historic low turnout, while this year's poll is taking place amid controversy over the government's disqualification of roughly a third of would-be candidates.
Some hopefuls have said they were blocked from competing for major constituencies, including Algiers.
The ruling National Liberation Movement (FLN) was widely expected to retain its hold over the 407-seat National People's Assembly, whose members are elected for five-year terms.
Interior Minister Said Sayoud declined to comment on turnout but earlier urged citizens to take part, according to news website TSA.
Algeria had seen record low turnout of 23 percent in the 2021 poll -- the first since a major pro-democracy protest movement swept through the country in 2019.
The Hirak movement erupted in February of that year and led to the resignation of long-serving president Abdelaziz Bouteflika two months later.
President Abdelmadjid Tebboune was elected later in 2019 and won a second term in 2024.
"Throughout this campaign, the crucial challenge has been to encourage citizens to turn out in large numbers," local French-language daily L'Expression said.
(FRANCE 24 with AFP)
