10 April 2009

Algiers, Algeria - Sporadic riots, a bombing and a small earthquake marred Algeria's presidential election, which incumbent Abdelaziz Bouteflika was expected to win amid calls for a boycott by the opposition.

Bouteflika faced five relatively unknown challengers and appeared almost certain to win a third term without a runoff when results were announced on Friday.

National radio reported late on Thursday that the president's supporters were crowding streets in some towns to rejoice and fireworks echoed through Algiers.

In power since 1999, Bouteflika is credited with largely pacifying a country ravaged by insurgency but is blamed for not doing enough to spread Algeria's oil and gas riches among the people.

Participation was viewed as the only real test for Bouteflika, who is seeking another five years in power to pursue his program of national reconstruction and reconciliation.

Interior Minister Yazid Zerhouni announced a participation rate of more than 74 percent at 8pm (19.00GMT) when polls closed.

This included a 64,7 percent turnout in Algiers.

As polls closed, 17 polling stations chosen at random by The Associated Press in Algiers provided turnout figures about half those of the total official turnout in the city.

The opposition, ranging from left-wing parties to Islamists, had called on Algerians to boycott the election on suspicions authorities would rig it to show a landslide for Bouteflika.

Al-Qaeda in Islamic North Africa, a local offshoot of the terror network, also called for a boycott.

The president, 72, had the constitution changed last year so he could run again, despite bouts of serious illness in recent years.

He enjoys the full support of the government as well as labour and business unions.

During his campaign, Bouteflika promised a large investment plan to create 3-million jobs and repeatedly hinted he could offer a general amnesty to militants if they fully renounce violence, as has happened in the past.

The al-Qaeda-linked militants are a group leftover from an insurgency that has left up to 200 000 people dead since 1992.

Despite large security measures, two police officers were injured on Thursday in a bombing near a polling station in Sid Ali Boulad, in the Boumerdes region east of Algiers, local security officials said.

The area is known as a hotbed for Algeria's al-Qaeda militants. The officials were not authorised to speak publicly and, like others, asked for anonymity.

The interior minister confirmed on national television a terrorist action in the area, some 60 kilometres east of Algiers.

There have been three separate bombings or ambushes this week east of Algiers, killing five police officers and security guards, according to various local officials.

At least six voting stations were torched by rioting youths in the often-restive Kabylie region east of the capital, local officials told The Associated Press.

Riot police clashed with several groups to prevent them from setting tires afire and destroying more polling centres.

Frustration is high among youths due to a soaring jobless rate and a sense of powerlessness.

The rioting "is proof the youth are fed up with having a head of state imposed on them," Karim Tabbou, secretary general of the Front for Socialist Forces, a leading opposition party, said by telephone.

He alleged the damaged voting stations were being used by soldiers to fraudulently vote several times.

A small earthquake, meanwhile, shook a town near the capital on Thursday.

The quake, centred on Berrouaghia some 45 kilometres south of Algiers, registered 3.8 on the Richter scale, the official APS news agency reported.

Resident Lila Hached said by phone it caused a panic but no injury or damage.

More than 20-million Algerians were registered to vote.

Most interviewed seemed indifferent to the balloting, with many contending the result was predetermined. - Sapa-AP