Algerians flock to polling centers to elect president

Some twenty three million voters flocked on Thursday to polling centers to elect a president of the country among six presidential nominees. Polls opened in Algeria where incumbent President Abdelaziz Bouteflika is seeking a fourth term in office. Bouteflika is facing five other candidates. More than 260,000 police have been deployed to protect 50,000 polling booths, accoding to the INterior Ministry. Bouteflika took office in 1999 when Algeria was still caught up in a civil war between the military and Islamist militants and has been credited by supporters for curbing the conflict and restoring some economic stability. He scrapped constitutional rules in 2008 limiting him to two terms in office. He won elections the following year with 90% of the vote.