Algeria - September 07, 2024

Storyline:
Polling stations for Algeria's presidential election were closed nationwide at 20:00 local time (1900 GMT) on Saturday, with the vote counting now underway as representatives of the three candidates observe the tallying.

The presidential race involves three candidates: the incumbent 78-year-old President Abdelmadjid Tebboune who is seeking a second term as an independent candidate with broad support, Abdelaali Hassani Cherif, 57, head of the Movement of Society for Peace, and Youcef Aouchiche, 41, secretary general of the left-wing Socialist Forces Front.

Voting began early on Saturday, with polling stations nationwide opening at 08:00 local time (0700 GMT). Mobile polling stations had been in operation since Wednesday to access remote areas, while overseas voting commenced on Monday, catering to over 800,000 Algerians living abroad.

The National Independent Authority for Elections oversaw the voting process.

President Tebboune exercised his right to vote on Saturday at Ahmed Bouraoui School in Bouchaoui (Algiers).

The other two candidates also participated in the election, voting at schools in their respective constituencies on Saturday.

The election comes after Tebboune's decision on March 21 to reschedule the presidential polls, traditionally held in December, for an earlier time for "purely technical reasons."

According to the Algerian electoral law, the candidate who receives more than half of the votes is elected as the new president. If no one crosses the mark, the top two candidates will compete in a runoff within 30 days.

Shotlist:
Algeria - Sept 7, 2024:
1. Voters walking at polling station;
2. Voting in progress;
3. Ballots;
4. Various of voters casting ballots;
Algiers, Algeria Sept. 7, 2024:
5. Reporters;
6. Various of presidential candidate, incumbent President Abdelmadjid Tebboune casting ballot, leaving polling station;
Tizi Ouzou, Algeria - Sept 7, 2024:
7. Various of presidential candidate Youcef Aouchiche, secretary general of left-wing Socialist Forces Front, posing for photos, casting ballot;
Birkhadem, Algeria - Sept 7, 2024:
8. Various of presidential candidate Abdelaali Hassani Cherif, head of Movement of Society for Peace, walking, casting ballot;
Algeria - Sept 7, 2024:
9. Various of vote counting in progress.

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