The Hindu : International / Globescan : Landslide for Bouteflika

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Saturday, Apr 10, 2004

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International - Globescan

Landslide for Bouteflika

ALGIERS: The Algerian President, Abdelaziz Bouteflika, was re-elected in a landslide vote to a second term, the Interior Ministry announced on Friday in official results. Mr. Bouteflika (67) won the balloting on Thursday with 83 per cent of the vote, said the Interior Minister, Nourredine Zerhouni. The top rival and former Prime Minister, Ali Benflis, took but 8 per cent. The Islamic candidate, Abdallah Djeballah, won slightly less than 5 per cent. Supporters of Mr. Bouteflika began celebrating in the streets of Algiers after polls closed last night, while several of the five rival candidates immediately claimed the election was marred by fraud. Mr. Zerhouni denied the allegations, saying that candidates had representatives at all polling stations to ensure the vote was held freely and fairly. It was the third multi-party presidential vote in this North African nation since 1995. The country has battled an Islamist insurgency for a dozen years. The results are official but have to be validated by the Constitutional Council. The turnout among the 18 million voters was 59 per cent.

- AP

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