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Algerian presidential poll opens Algerians vote in poll 'charade'
(40 minutes later)
Algerians are voting in a presidential election which opposition groups have described as a charade.Algerians are voting in a presidential election which opposition groups have described as a charade.
The incumbent, President Abdelaziz Bouteflika, is standing for a third term in office against five little-known opponents.The incumbent, President Abdelaziz Bouteflika, is standing for a third term in office against five little-known opponents.
Observers say the 72-year-old is almost certain to be re-elected and many voters are likely to boycott the poll.Observers say the 72-year-old is almost certain to be re-elected and many voters are likely to boycott the poll.
Opposition candidates include two nationalists, two moderate Islamists and a woman veteran left-winger.Opposition candidates include two nationalists, two moderate Islamists and a woman veteran left-winger.
But their posters are invisible in the capital, where the face of the incumbent adorns every available space, correspondents say. Algerian voters give their views on the presidential electionsIn picturesBut their posters are invisible in the capital, where the face of the incumbent adorns every available space, correspondents say. Algerian voters give their views on the presidential electionsIn pictures
Mr Bouteflika has promised to spend $150bn (£102bn) on development projects and create three million jobs, and stresses the fact that he has restored stability in Algeria.Mr Bouteflika has promised to spend $150bn (£102bn) on development projects and create three million jobs, and stresses the fact that he has restored stability in Algeria.
The president has urged people to turn out to vote, eager to enhance his authority by a high turnout.The president has urged people to turn out to vote, eager to enhance his authority by a high turnout.
But cynicism about the results make it likely that turnout will be low, observers say. But the BBC's Rana Jawad in Algiers says many people are simply sitting out the vote in the overwhelming conviction that Mr Bouteflika will win regardless of their ballot.
"Voting or not will make no difference as Bouteflika will win anyway," Nacer Djabi, a political analyst, told the Reuters news agency. "This is why poor turnout is likely." For those who are taking part in the poll, however, the incumbent is the clear favourite, adds our correspondent.
Nacer Djabi, a political analyst, told the Reuters news agency: "Voting or not will make no difference as Bouteflika will win anyway. This is why poor turnout is likely."
'Shadowy figures''Shadowy figures'
In November, the Algerian parliament rubberstamped an amendment that would change the constitution, meaning Mr Bouteflika can now run an unlimited number of times - virtually making him president for life.In November, the Algerian parliament rubberstamped an amendment that would change the constitution, meaning Mr Bouteflika can now run an unlimited number of times - virtually making him president for life.
Voting or not will make no difference as Bouteflika will win anyway Nacer Djabi, political analyst Q&A: Algeria presidential polls Dangerous voting cocktail Voting or not will make no difference as Bouteflika will win anyway Nacer Djabi, political analyst Q&A: Algeria presidential polls Dangerous voting cocktail
Mr Bouteflika wants to be seen as a leader above the political fray, a man who can unite all Algerians, and many do credit him with ending the civil war between the military-backed government and Islamic insurgents which lasted throughout the 1990s, says BBC Arab affairs analyst Magdi Abdelhadi.Mr Bouteflika wants to be seen as a leader above the political fray, a man who can unite all Algerians, and many do credit him with ending the civil war between the military-backed government and Islamic insurgents which lasted throughout the 1990s, says BBC Arab affairs analyst Magdi Abdelhadi.
But critics of the post-colonial order in Algeria say real power does not come from the ballot box but from the military and security services who anoint the man they want to be president.But critics of the post-colonial order in Algeria say real power does not come from the ballot box but from the military and security services who anoint the man they want to be president.
Mr Boutaflika is said to have curbed some of their influence but many still believe that the levers of power remain in the hands of shadowy figures who are the de facto rulers of this vast and oil-rich country, our correspondent says, and that is why the opposition says the election is a charade. Mr Bouteflika is said to have curbed some of their influence although many still believe the levers of power remain in the hands of shadowy figures who are the de facto rulers of this vast and oil-rich country, our correspondent says, and that is why the opposition says the election is a charade.
Results of the ballot will be announced on Friday.Results of the ballot will be announced on Friday.