There was low turn out of voters as local polls opened today in Algeria.
Polling stations opened at 8am where over 23 million people are eligible to vote 1,541 municipal and 58 prefect assemblies for a five-year term.
President Abdelmadjid Tebboune said on Saturday that the local elections that began earlier in the day will usher in a modern Algeria.
Tebboune said upon casting his vote in the capital Algiers,“The elections are the last stone in the building process of a modern state. For now, we will tackle economic challenges within democracy, freedom and with legitimate institutions chosen by the people.”
The local elections are the last step in the process of renewing the state institutions since President Abdelmadjid Tebboune came to power in late 2019 in place of late Abdelaziz Bouteflika who had been forced to step down following a popular hirak movement calling for change.
The renewal process started with a popular referendum on a new constitution in November 2020, and parliamentary elections were held in June this year.
According to figures provided by the National Independent Authority for Elections, over 15,000 candidates are running for the elections. Voting will stop at 7pm while results are expected to be announced on Sunday.
Similar low turn out was witnessed six months ago, when voters went to polls to vote parliamentarians.