Vote counting got underway in Algeria on Thursday night following parliamentary elections that were overshadowed by cost-of-living concerns and the exclusion of candidates critical of the government.
The government declared Thursday a paid national holiday in a bid to encourage participation, but polling stations appeared quiet for much of the day.
By mid-afternoon, voter turnout was very low following a campaign that attracted limited public interest amid what rights groups say is shrinking political freedoms.
Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebbounepresented the polls as another step towards renewing the country's political institutions.
He came to power in 2019 after mass protests led to the ousting of long-time president Abdelaziz Bouteflika.
