The provinces of Bejaia, Oran and Setif in Algeria have witnessed new demonstrations for the tenth month in a row against the survival of any of the symbols of the Bouteflika regime.
In the northeastern city of Setif, a demonstration took place in the main square of the city, demanding the removal of all symbols of the Bouteflika regime, and refusing to hold presidential elections scheduled for December under the supervision of these symbols.
In parallel, the National Committee for the Release of Detainees announced on Saturday the arrest of more than 30 people after demonstrations against the presidential elections scheduled for December 12 next.
The National Committee for the Release of Detainees, which was set up to defend the detainees involved in the popular movement, said that "30 opposition opponents (of the elections) were arrested" while "a demonstration in support of the elections in Tiaret (270 km southwest of Algeria)."
The committee also pointed to arrests of opponents of the elections in Batna, 400 kilometers southeast of Algeria, on the sidelines of an election festival for candidate Abdelmajid Taboun.
The committee announced the arrest of 80 people in the capital during a night march last Thursday, were taken to police stations on the outskirts of the city.
Last Wednesday, about 100 people were arrested during a similar night demonstration, but most of them were released, while the court pursued 21 people for "unauthorized gathering". They were released pending trial, and eight were imprisoned for "forming bad guys."
Since the start of the election campaign last Sunday, the five candidates have difficulty in their movements and the holding of meetings due to the protests that follow them, which necessitated the provision of high security protection for them.
The first week of the presidential election campaign in Algeria was overshadowed by tensions and anti-election rallies.