Algeria counts votes in legislative poll marked by low turnout

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 were slated to choose 407 lawmakers in the lower house of parliament from 1,235 candidates amid cost-of-living concerns and shrinking freedoms, according to rights groups.

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.

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 Abdelmajid 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.