ALGIERS: Violence forced President Abdelaziz Bouteflika’s camp to call off an election rally in eastern Algeria yesterday, as tensions run high over the ailing veteran’s bid for a fourth term.
In contrast, Bouteflika’s main rival, Ali Benflis, was cheered by thousands of supporters who gathered for a rally in his southern hometown of Batna.
Campaigning for the April 17 presidential election started on March 23, with incumbent Bouteflika, 77, aiming to clinch another term but without taking to the road due to health concerns.
He will square off against five other presidential hopefuls — including Benflis — and is widely expected to win despite protests against his candidacy. But yesterday, protesters stormed the venue for Bouteflika’s rally in the eastern Kabylie region and torched portraits of the president. Demonstrators also attacked the crew of En-Nahar television covering the rally. AFP
