Algerians Flock to Polls to Reelect President Benjedid

Algerians turned out in force Thursday to reelect President Chadli Benjedid in a vote seen as a public verdict on political reforms launched after riots last October.

Benjedid is unopposed and guaranteed election to a third term after being chosen as sole candidate of the National Liberation Front, the country’s only official political party.

With the lack of competition, interest has focused on the turnout and size of the “yes” vote in an election portrayed by the press as a referendum on his political liberalization program.

The 59-year-old president was hoping to equal the 95.4% backing he received from the electorate in January, 1984, at the start of his second five-year term.