Algerian demonstrators take to the streets in the capital Algiers to reject the presidential elections, in Algeria, Thursday, Dec. 12, 2019. Banner in French read "Reject the elections". (AP Photo/Toufik Doudou)
Algerians voted on Thursday for a new president or boycotted and held protests against the election, the Associated Press reports. The country has been without a leader since April after former President Abdelaziz Bouteflika was removed from office.
The five presidential candidates have past ties with Bouteflika's government, and protesters are concerned the elections would continue the cycle of the Bouteflika rule.
The candidates include two former prime ministers, Abdelmadjid Tebboune and Ali Benflis; former journalist and minister of culture Azzedine Mihoubi; Abdelaziz Belaid, founder of the El-Moustakbal (Future) Front party and Abdelkader Bengrina, head of the Islamist El-Binaa party, Al Jazeera reports.
Protesters took to the streets in several cities the night before the vote and continued throughout Thursday.
"No to elections of shame" and "generals in the garbage" were among the chants, the AP reports.
Voting closed at 7 p.m. after 11 hours of voting. The results are expected on Friday.