Algeria is holding a parliamentary election that is being boycotted by an influential protest movement and regarded by many with scepticism.
Political instability, a sharp drop in oil revenue plus the coronavirus pandemic have hampered many of the reforms promised by the government which took over after mass protests forced the president to step down in 2019.
“You want change, cast your ballot” was this year’s slogan, as the government fears a repeat of the historically low turnout seen in recent polls.
More independent candidates are standing than ever, thanks in part to new rules on funding, and for the first time in an Algerian election women make up half of the candidates.
Election results are expected by Monday.
