Algerians were voting to choose a new president, eight months after the resignation of long-time ruler Abdelaziz Bouteflika, as opponents protested against a poll they dismiss as a farce.
Voter turnout stood at 7.9 percent three hours after the polling stations opened, according to Head of the Electoral Commission, Mohammed Sharafi.
About 24 million Algerians are eligible to vote at 60,000 polling stations nationwide to choose one of five contenders vying for the presidency.
Hundreds of demonstrators took to the streets of the capital Algiers to protest against the election, in spite of a heavy security presence and earlier attempts by security forces to disperse the anti-government rallies.
Protesters also gathered in other cities including Bejaia, Tizi Ouzou, and Constantine in the east.
Pressure from street protests and the country’s influential military forced Bouteflika to resign in April.
Since then, protesters have called for key Bouteflika-era
officials to depart, and for an overhaul of the political system
before an election is held.
