Algeria observes electoral silence ahead of polls

By Abdul-Razzaq bin Abdullah

ALGIERS (AA) – Electoral silence started in Algeria on Monday, three days before voters go to polls to elect a new president.

Algerians will vote on Dec. 12 to elect a successor of President Abdelaziz Bouteflika, who resigned in April after months of popular protests against his 20-year rule.

Five candidates are vying in the presidential ballot, including former prime ministers, Abdelmajid Tebboune and Ali Benflis.

Algeria's electoral law bans candidates from electoral campaigning three days before the vote.

Around 24.5 million Algerians are eligible to cast ballot in Thursday's presidential election.

Meanwhile, Algeria's Bedouins, who are estimated at around 50,000 voters, began to cast ballot in the presidential election on Monday.

Protesters oppose Thursday's election, citing that the five candidates running for the presidential post have been involved with Bouteflika's regime.