Protesters in Algiers on Friday said none of the election candidates represented them
ALGIERS, Dec 14 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Tens of thousands of people have taken to the streets of the Algerian capital, Algiers, in protest at the results of Thursday’s presidential election.
They chanted slogans against the winner, ex-PM Abdelmadjid Tebboune, a former loyalist of ousted leader Abdelaziz Bouteflika.
Protesters are demanding that the whole political establishment be swept away.
Polling day itself was marred by protests and calls for people to boycott the election.
Tebboune, 74, took 58% of the vote – enough to avoid a second round. But he and the four other candidates were criticised for being closely linked with the rule of Mr Bouteflika.
President Bouteflika stepped down following mass demonstrations across the country.
But anti-government rallies have continued since then unabated.
“The vote is rigged. Your elections are of no concern to us and your president will not govern us,” demonstrators chanted in central Algiers on Friday.
Tebboune rose from a long career as a civil servant to become prime minister in 2017 but lasted just seven months after falling out with influential businessmen. He also served as housing minister and information minister.
In his election campaign he promised to pursue taxpayer money “stolen and hidden abroad”.
Electoral officials say about nine million people voted on Thursday – a turnout of about 40%.
For nearly a year, thousands of Algerians have protested every Friday in the capital and other cities against any elections under the current government.
They wanted all officials associated with the regime of ousted President Bouteflika. including interim President Abdelkader Bensalah and Prime Minister Nouredine Bedoui, to be removed from office. — NNN-AGENCIES
