Algeria-Sana
Polling stations in the Algerian presidential elections closed their doors this evening and the counting process has begun in the states.
The Algerian News Agency quoted the head of the Independent National Authority for Elections, Mohamed Sharafi, as saying that the participation rate in the presidential elections amounted to 33.03% until 5 pm local time, indicating that the participation rate exceeded 40% in several Algerian states such as Adrar, Laghouat, Tamanrasset, Tiaret, Saida, Sidi Bel Abbes, Guelma and Ostrich And Elysee.
The official of the Algerian National Authority for Elections confirmed that several other states witnessed participation of nearly 50 percent, considering that the presidential poll in which the five candidates compete has obtained a very satisfactory turnout.
The results of the process of periodic review of the electoral lists counted more than 24 million voters, including more than 914 voters at the level of diplomatic and consular centers abroad.
The two former prime ministers are competing for Ali bin Falis, head of the Tala’a Al-Hurriyat party, Abdel Majid Taboun, as well as Abdelaziz Belaid, head of the Future Front, and Abdel-Qader bin Quraina, head of the National Construction Movement, in addition to Ezzedine Mihoubi, the former minister of culture.
The Algerian interim president, Abdel Qader Bin Saleh, confirmed in a speech yesterday that the presidential elections "are a historic opportunity for the consolidation of democracy and social justice and the construction of the state of truth and institutions in Algeria."