Votes are being counted in parliamentary elections in Algeria. The ruling National Liberation Front (FNL) is expected to retain its majority despite deep economic problems and uncertainty over the health of President Abdelaziz Bouteflika. The 80-year-old leader voted from a wheelchair in Algiers, in a rare public appearance since a 2013 stroke. More than 23m people were eligible to vote for 11,334 candidates from 50 different political parties, including opposition Islamist alliances, in Thursday's elections. But recent economic difficulties caused by falling oil prices have seen austerity imposed on the country.

Source: The Star May 04, 2017 22:41 UTC