Algeria held a tense presidential election Thursday meant to bring stability after a year of turmoil, but voting was marred as protesters stormed polling stations and thousands rallied in the capital.

The unpopular vote comes almost 10 months after a people power movement ousted president Abdelaziz Bouteflika, 82, after two decades in office, and as demonstrators keep pushing for an end to the military-backed political system.

Tens of thousands rallied in central Algiers, defying a heavy police presence backed by water cannon and helicopters, and despite the arrests of at least 10 activists meant to prevent a repeat of the previous day's anti-election rallies.

"The people want independence," they chanted after breaking through a police cordon and filling the streets outside the Central Post Office, their symbolic meeting place in more than 40 weeks of rallies.

A group stormed a polling station in the capital, suspending voting there for about half an hour, before police pushed them out again, AFP reporters witnessed.

Unrest also erupted in the northern mountain region of Kabylie, home to much of the country's Berber minority, where groups "ransacked the ballot boxes and destroyed part of the electoral lists" in Bejaia, a resident said.

Video footage shared on social media, purportedly from a polling station there, showed dozens of people tossing ballot papers into the air and stamping on them, while clips from other cities showed large demonstrations.

Crowds also surrounded a government building in Tizi Ouzou, where security forces fired teargas to repel them, witnesses told AFP from the region with a long history of opposition to the central government.

'Mired in crisis'

Voter participation appeared to be low in the ballot, where five candidates were in the running -- all of them widely rejected as "children of the regime" by the protesters.

Among them are two of the ousted leader's former prime ministers -- Abdelmajid Tebboune, 74, and Ali Benflis, 75 -- and a former minister, Azzedine Mihoubi.

While only a trickle of voters cast their ballots in some districts, national television showed long queues elsewhere, leading some online commentators to wonder "how much they have been paid".

Two hours after the start of voting, turnout stood at 7.9 per cent of the 24 million eligible voters, said the electoral authority -- a "respectable" level according to its president Mohamed Charfi.

"I am voting because I am afraid that the country will get mired in the crisis," said Karim, a 28-year-old civil servant.&nbsp;

Mahdid Saadi, a 76-year-old retiree, showed off his voter card with many stamps and said: "I have always voted and I still vote today, it is a duty."

Polls were scheduled to close at 1800 GMT but the result may not be announced for another day or later, as was the case after previous elections already marked by high abstention rates.

Whoever wins will struggle to be accepted by the electorate in the north African country, where many citizens see the government as inept, corrupt and unable to manage the flagging economy.

"None of the five candidates can hope to be considered legitimate" in the eyes of the protesters, said Anthony Skinner, Middle East and North Africa director at risk analysis company Verisk Maplecroft.

'No to the system'

The "Hirak" street movement kicked off when Bouteflika announced in February he would seek a fifth term in office.

Since then protesters have stayed on the streets, demanding the total dismantling of the system that has ruled Algeria since independence from France in 1962.

The military high command, which long wielded power from the shadows, has been forced to take a more visible role and has pushed for the election as a way to withdraw behind the scenes again.

Demonstrators have vented their anger at army chief Ahmed Gaid Salah, who has emerged as Algeria's de facto strongman.

A previous poll set for July was scrapped for lack of viable candidates and interim president Abdelkader Bensalah's term technically ended five months ago.

Given the broad opposition, the five candidates have run low-key campaigns, usually under heavy police protection and often being drowned out by hecklers.

Algeria held a tense presidential election Thursday meant to bring stability after a year of turmoil, but voting was marred as protesters stormed polling stations and thousands rallied in the capital.

Algeria held a tense presidential election Thursday meant to bring stability after a year of turmoil, but voting was marred as protesters stormed polling stations and thousands rallied in the capital. The unpopular vote comes almost 10 months after a people power movement ousted president Abdelaziz Bouteflika, 82, after two decades in office, and as demonstrators keep pushing for an end to the military-backed political system. Tens of thousands rallied in central Algiers, defying a heavy police presence backed by water cannon and helicopters, and despite the arrests of at least 10 activists meant to prevent a repeat of the previous day's anti-election rallies. "The people want independence," they chanted after breaking through a police cordon and filling the streets outside the Central Post Office, their symbolic meeting place in more than 40 weeks of rallies. A group stormed a polling station in the capital, suspending voting there for about half an hour, before police pushed them out again, AFP reporters witnessed. Unrest also erupted in the northern mountain region of Kabylie, home to much of the country's Berber minority, where groups "ransacked the ballot boxes and destroyed part of the electoral lists" in Bejaia, a resident said. Video footage shared on social media, purportedly from a polling station there, showed dozens of people tossing ballot papers into the air and stamping on them, while clips from other cities showed large demonstrations. Crowds also surrounded a government building in Tizi Ouzou, where security forces fired teargas to repel them, witnesses told AFP from the region with a long history of opposition to the central government. 'Mired in crisis' Voter participation appeared to be low in the ballot, where five candidates were in the running -- all of them widely rejected as "children of the regime" by the protesters. Among them are two of the ousted leader's former prime ministers -- Abdelmajid Tebboune, 74, and Ali Benflis, 75 -- and a former minister, Azzedine Mihoubi. While only a trickle of voters cast their ballots in some districts, national television showed long queues elsewhere, leading some online commentators to wonder "how much they have been paid". Two hours after the start of voting, turnout stood at 7.9 per cent of the 24 million eligible voters, said the electoral authority -- a "respectable" level according to its president Mohamed Charfi. "I am voting because I am afraid that the country will get mired in the crisis," said Karim, a 28-year-old civil servant. Mahdid Saadi, a 76-year-old retiree, showed off his voter card with many stamps and said: "I have always voted and I still vote today, it is a duty." Polls were scheduled to close at 1800 GMT but the result may not be announced for another day or later, as was the case after previous elections already marked by high abstention rates. Whoever wins will struggle to be accepted by the electorate in the north African country, where many citizens see the government as inept, corrupt and unable to manage the flagging economy. "None of the five candidates can hope to be considered legitimate" in the eyes of the protesters, said Anthony Skinner, Middle East and North Africa director at risk analysis company Verisk Maplecroft. 'No to the system' The "Hirak" street movement kicked off when Bouteflika announced in February he would seek a fifth term in office. Since then protesters have stayed on the streets, demanding the total dismantling of the system that has ruled Algeria since independence from France in 1962. The military high command, which long wielded power from the shadows, has been forced to take a more visible role and has pushed for the election as a way to withdraw behind the scenes again. Demonstrators have vented their anger at army chief Ahmed Gaid Salah, who has emerged as Algeria's de facto strongman. A previous poll set for July was scrapped for lack of viable candidates and interim president Abdelkader Bensalah's term technically ended five months ago. Given the broad opposition, the five candidates have run low-key campaigns, usually under heavy police protection and often being drowned out by hecklers.

Protests, unrest mar Algeria's disputed presidential vote

Hundreds of thousands of people protested in central Algiers on Friday in the biggest demonstration against <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/algeria-ruling-party-turns-its-back-on-bouteflika-he-is-history-203535">President Abdelaziz Bouteflika</a>'s 20-year rule since unrest began last month.

Protesters crammed streets and squares in the capital after Friday prayers, many draped in Algeria's green, white and red flag. Demonstrations also took place in Bejaia, Oran, Batna, Tizi Ouzou and other cities.

"Bouteflika and his men must go as soon as possible," said Yazid Ammari, 23, a student.

Reuters journalists estimated the crowd at hundreds of thousands of people, though there was no police estimate. The number fell to thousands by late afternoon.

A statement from the Algerian national police (DGSN) said it arrested people involved in vandalism, theft and destruction of public and private property.

No heavy clashes were reported but the authorities said some 75 protesters were arrested and 11 policemen were slightly injured during the demonstrations.

Bouteflika on Monday reversed a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/algerias-president-bouteflika-abandons-re-election-bid-after-weeks-of-protest-202747">decision to stand for another term </a>after weeks of demonstrations against him, but he stopped short of relinquishing office and said he would stay on until a new constitution is adopted.&nbsp;

Algerians quickly rejected his offer and demanded that the 82-year-old president hand over power to a young generation of leaders who can create jobs and stamp out corruption.

"Those who think we are tired are wrong. Our protests will not stop," said doctor Madjid Benzida, 37, as police blocked streets leading to government offices and parliament.

Bouteflika has rarely been seen in public since suffering a stroke in 2013. Protesters say he is no longer fit for office.&nbsp;

The president has been losing allies in recent days since returning from medical treatment in Switzerland.

Hocine Kheldoun, a senior figure from the ruling National Liberation Front party, known by its French acronym FLN, said in an interview on Thursday night the long-ruling president was "history now."

The remarks by Kheldoun to Ennahar television were another setback for Bouteflika, who hoped to pacify Algerians by promising to take steps to change a political landscape that has been dominated for decades by a ruling elite.

Kheldoun, a former ruling party spokesman, became one of the most senior FLN officials to break with Bouteflika publicly, saying the party had to look forward and support the aims of demonstrators.

Some parents brought their children to Friday`s demonstration.

"I want a better future," said Mohamed Kemime, 10, draped in a national flag.

One of Algeria`s most influential clerics appealed for patience. &nbsp;

"Let’s be optimistic, Algeria needs to overcome its crisis," said Mohamed Abdelkader Haider from an Algiers mosque.&nbsp;

The new prime minister, Noureddine Bedoui, said on Thursday he would form a temporary government of technocrats and others to work towards political change, and he urged the opposition to join in a dialogue.

'GAME OVER'

A former minister who is familiar with Bouteflika`s inner circle told Reuters that the president could not survive given the pressure building against him.

"Game over. Bouteflika has no choice but to quit now," the former minister said on condition of anonymity.&nbsp;

Algeria is a major oil and gas producer, but so far exports have not been affected by the unrest. Its biggest oil field Hassi Messaoud and its Hassi Rmel gas field have been operating normally, a source from state oil giant Sonatrach told Reuters.

Many Algerians say that the president and other veterans of the 1954-62 war of independence against France have neglected them for decades.

The military, which has traditionally played a behind-the-scenes power broker role, has distanced itself from Bouteflika and stayed in its barracks throughout the crisis. It is expected to retain influence under all scenarios.

Algeria was relatively untouched when the 2011 "Arab Spring" uprisings swept away veteran autocrats in the Arab world. Bouteflika and his allies, effective manipulators of the opposition, managed to avoid major unrest by spending oil revenue on popular programs, such as handing out low interest loans and housing.

Bouteflika helped to defeat a civil war against Islamist insurgents in which tens of thousands of people were killed in the 1990s, and many Algerians long accepted heavy-handed rule as the price of stability.

But the public has lost patience with deteriorating economic conditions and the FLN`s failure to make the transition to a new generation despite the president`s failing health.

Hundreds of thousands of people protested in central Algiers on Friday in the biggest demonstration against President Abdelaziz Bouteflika's 20-year rule since unrest began last month.

Hundreds of thousands of people protested in central Algiers on Friday in the biggest demonstration against President Abdelaziz Bouteflika's 20-year rule since unrest began last month. Protesters crammed streets and squares in the capital after Friday prayers, many draped in Algeria's green, white and red flag. Demonstrations also took place in Bejaia, Oran, Batna, Tizi Ouzou and other cities. "Bouteflika and his men must go as soon as possible," said Yazid Ammari, 23, a student. Reuters journalists estimated the crowd at hundreds of thousands of people, though there was no police estimate. The number fell to thousands by late afternoon. A statement from the Algerian national police (DGSN) said it arrested people involved in vandalism, theft and destruction of public and private property. No heavy clashes were reported but the authorities said some 75 protesters were arrested and 11 policemen were slightly injured during the demonstrations. Bouteflika on Monday reversed a decision to stand for another term after weeks of demonstrations against him, but he stopped short of relinquishing office and said he would stay on until a new constitution is adopted. Algerians quickly rejected his offer and demanded that the 82-year-old president hand over power to a young generation of leaders who can create jobs and stamp out corruption. "Those who think we are tired are wrong. Our protests will not stop," said doctor Madjid Benzida, 37, as police blocked streets leading to government offices and parliament. Bouteflika has rarely been seen in public since suffering a stroke in 2013. Protesters say he is no longer fit for office. The president has been losing allies in recent days since returning from medical treatment in Switzerland. Hocine Kheldoun, a senior figure from the ruling National Liberation Front party, known by its French acronym FLN, said in an interview on Thursday night the long-ruling president was "history now." The remarks by Kheldoun to Ennahar television were another setback for Bouteflika, who hoped to pacify Algerians by promising to take steps to change a political landscape that has been dominated for decades by a ruling elite. Kheldoun, a former ruling party spokesman, became one of the most senior FLN officials to break with Bouteflika publicly, saying the party had to look forward and support the aims of demonstrators. Some parents brought their children to Friday`s demonstration. "I want a better future," said Mohamed Kemime, 10, draped in a national flag. One of Algeria`s most influential clerics appealed for patience. "Let’s be optimistic, Algeria needs to overcome its crisis," said Mohamed Abdelkader Haider from an Algiers mosque. The new prime minister, Noureddine Bedoui, said on Thursday he would form a temporary government of technocrats and others to work towards political change, and he urged the opposition to join in a dialogue. 'GAME OVER' A former minister who is familiar with Bouteflika`s inner circle told Reuters that the president could not survive given the pressure building against him. "Game over. Bouteflika has no choice but to quit now," the former minister said on condition of anonymity. Algeria is a major oil and gas producer, but so far exports have not been affected by the unrest. Its biggest oil field Hassi Messaoud and its Hassi Rmel gas field have been operating normally, a source from state oil giant Sonatrach told Reuters. Many Algerians say that the president and other veterans of the 1954-62 war of independence against France have neglected them for decades. The military, which has traditionally played a behind-the-scenes power broker role, has distanced itself from Bouteflika and stayed in its barracks throughout the crisis. It is expected to retain influence under all scenarios. Algeria was relatively untouched when the 2011 "Arab Spring" uprisings swept away veteran autocrats in the Arab world. Bouteflika and his allies, effective manipulators of the opposition, managed to avoid major unrest by spending oil revenue on popular programs, such as handing out low interest loans and housing. Bouteflika helped to defeat a civil war against Islamist insurgents in which tens of thousands of people were killed in the 1990s, and many Algerians long accepted heavy-handed rule as the price of stability. But the public has lost patience with deteriorating economic conditions and the FLN`s failure to make the transition to a new generation despite the president`s failing health.

Algeria's biggest protest demand President Bouteflika's quit

&nbsp;Algeria's&nbsp;ruling&nbsp;FLN&nbsp;party&nbsp;showed more signs of turning&nbsp;its&nbsp;back&nbsp;on Abdelaziz&nbsp;Bouteflika&nbsp;as new protests against him began on Friday, with one senior&nbsp;party figure saying in an interview overnight the&nbsp;long-serving president was 'history now'.

Bouteflika&nbsp;has reversed a decision to stand for another term after mass protests against his rule but stopped short of stepping down and says&nbsp;he&nbsp;will stay on until a new constitution is adopted.&nbsp;He&nbsp;has been losing allies in recent days since returning from medical treatment in Switzerland.

The&nbsp;remarks by Hocine Kheldoun to Ennahar television late on Thursday were another major setback&nbsp;Bouteflika, who hoped to pacify&nbsp;Algerians by promising to take steps to change the&nbsp;political landscape dominated by the&nbsp;president and the&nbsp;ruling&nbsp;elite for decades.

Kheldoun, a former spokesman for the&nbsp;ruling&nbsp;party, became one of the&nbsp;most senior FLN officials to break with&nbsp;Bouteflika&nbsp;publicly.&nbsp;He&nbsp;said the&nbsp;party&nbsp;had to look forward and support the&nbsp;aims of demonstrators protesting against&nbsp;Bouteflika.

On Friday, thousands of protesters gathered in central Algiers to keep pressing&nbsp;Bouteflika&nbsp;to step down.

'FLN goes,'&nbsp;some shouted amid a&nbsp;heavy police presence across the&nbsp;capital. Demonstrations have been peaceful.

"Those who think we are tired are wrong. Our protests will not stop," said doctor Madjid Benzida, 37.

The&nbsp;FLN holds the&nbsp;majority in all elected assemblies, including parliament and local city councils.

Tens of thousands of&nbsp;Algerians have staged protests for weeks demanding a new era with younger leaders who would offer greater social freedoms and prosperity.

Bouteflika, 82, has been in office for 20 years but rarely been seen in public since suffering a stroke in 2013. The&nbsp;protesters say&nbsp;he&nbsp;is no longer in a fit state to rule.

"GAME OVER"

A former minister who is familiar with&nbsp;Bouteflika's inner circle told Reuters that the&nbsp;president could not survive given the&nbsp;pressure building against him.

“Game over.&nbsp;Bouteflika&nbsp;has no choice but to quit now," the&nbsp;former minister said on condition of anonymity.

More mass protests are expected on Friday in the&nbsp;early afternoon after prayers.

Many&nbsp;Algerians say that the&nbsp;ailing president and other veterans of the&nbsp;1954-1962 war of independence against France should hand over power to young technocrats who can focus on unemployment, poor services and stamping out corruption.

The&nbsp;military, which has traditionally played a behind-the-scenes power broker role, has distanced&nbsp;itself from&nbsp;Bouteflika&nbsp;and stayed in&nbsp;its&nbsp;barracks throughout the&nbsp;crisis. It is expected to retain influence under all scenarios.

Algeria&nbsp;was relatively untouched when the&nbsp;2011 "Arab Spring" uprisings swept away veteran autocrats in the&nbsp;Arab world.&nbsp;Bouteflika&nbsp;and his allies, effective manipulators of the opposition, managed to avoid major unrest by spending oil money on the&nbsp;population.

Bouteflika&nbsp;was credited with ending a civil war against Islamist insurgents in which tens of thousands of people were killed in the&nbsp;1990s, and many&nbsp;Algerians long accepted&nbsp;the heavy-handed rule as the&nbsp;price of stability.

But the&nbsp;public has turned out onto the&nbsp;streets angry at deteriorating economic conditions and the&nbsp;ruling&nbsp;party's failure to make the&nbsp;transition to a new generation of leaders despite the&nbsp;president's failing&nbsp;health.

Algeria's ruling FLN party showed more signs of turning its back on Abdelaziz Bouteflika as new protests against him began on Friday, with one senior party figure saying in an interview overnight the long-serving president was 'history now'.

Algeria's ruling FLN party showed more signs of turning its back on Abdelaziz Bouteflika as new protests against him began on Friday, with one senior party figure saying in an interview overnight the long-serving president was 'history now'. Bouteflika has reversed a decision to stand for another term after mass protests against his rule but stopped short of stepping down and says he will stay on until a new constitution is adopted. He has been losing allies in recent days since returning from medical treatment in Switzerland. The remarks by Hocine Kheldoun to Ennahar television late on Thursday were another major setback Bouteflika, who hoped to pacify Algerians by promising to take steps to change the political landscape dominated by the president and the ruling elite for decades. Kheldoun, a former spokesman for the ruling party, became one of the most senior FLN officials to break with Bouteflika publicly. He said the party had to look forward and support the aims of demonstrators protesting against Bouteflika. On Friday, thousands of protesters gathered in central Algiers to keep pressing Bouteflika to step down. 'FLN goes,' some shouted amid a heavy police presence across the capital. Demonstrations have been peaceful. "Those who think we are tired are wrong. Our protests will not stop," said doctor Madjid Benzida, 37. The FLN holds the majority in all elected assemblies, including parliament and local city councils. Tens of thousands of Algerians have staged protests for weeks demanding a new era with younger leaders who would offer greater social freedoms and prosperity. Bouteflika, 82, has been in office for 20 years but rarely been seen in public since suffering a stroke in 2013. The protesters say he is no longer in a fit state to rule. "GAME OVER" A former minister who is familiar with Bouteflika's inner circle told Reuters that the president could not survive given the pressure building against him. “Game over. Bouteflika has no choice but to quit now," the former minister said on condition of anonymity. More mass protests are expected on Friday in the early afternoon after prayers. Many Algerians say that the ailing president and other veterans of the 1954-1962 war of independence against France should hand over power to young technocrats who can focus on unemployment, poor services and stamping out corruption. The military, which has traditionally played a behind-the-scenes power broker role, has distanced itself from Bouteflika and stayed in its barracks throughout the crisis. It is expected to retain influence under all scenarios. Algeria was relatively untouched when the 2011 "Arab Spring" uprisings swept away veteran autocrats in the Arab world. Bouteflika and his allies, effective manipulators of the opposition, managed to avoid major unrest by spending oil money on the population. Bouteflika was credited with ending a civil war against Islamist insurgents in which tens of thousands of people were killed in the 1990s, and many Algerians long accepted the heavy-handed rule as the price of stability. But the public has turned out onto the streets angry at deteriorating economic conditions and the ruling party's failure to make the transition to a new generation of leaders despite the president's failing health.

Algeria ruling party turns its back on Bouteflika, says he is 'history'

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Algerian president Abdelaziz Bouteflika confirms fresh poll bid for 'last time'