• Elections: Algerians reject presidential elections with mass demonstrations and school closings

Tense awaits in Algeria the announcement of the results of the presidential elections held yesterday, under record abstention and massive manifestations of rejection in the streets of the country. The Independent National Electoral Authority (ANIE) is expected to announce from 11.00 this morning, a moment that will coincide with the protests convened every Friday by the answering movement (Hirak).

The vice president of the ANIE, Abdelatif Milad, has already told EL MUNDO and other media that the chances of a second round "are very high." That eventual second round would take place, he said, in the first week of January. Of the more than 24 million voters called to the polls yesterday, only 39.93% (41.41% in the national territory and 8.69% among emigrants abroad) voted in total, the participation rate more low of the history of Algeria and inferior in ten points of the presidential ones of 2014.

Although there are no ballot polls or projections (polls are prohibited), one of the candidates, Abdelmayid Tebune, proclaimed his victory last night. "According to the first elements we manage, Abdelmayid Tebune has won the presidential elections," Abdelatif Belkaim, deputy director of communication for the former prime minister, told Afp.

Tens of thousands of people took to the streets yesterday to ostensibly reject the elections. In Algiers the demonstrations lasted throughout the day in a game of mouse and cat with riot forces. In Kabylia, protesters stopped voting and destroyed ballot boxes and ballots.

The answering movement demands the end of the system that Algeria has been leading since its independence in 1962, and the departure of all those who have collaborated with Abdelaziz Buteflika in his 20 years of presidency. That includes the five candidates for these elections: former prime ministers Ali Benflis and the aforementioned Tebune, and former ministers and senior officials of the Abdelaziz Belaid, Abdelkader Bengrina and Azedin Mihubi regime.

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  • Algeria
  • Abdelaziz Buteflika
  • international

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