Fraud claims in Algerian elections

Waving banners and honking car horns, supporters of President Abdelaziz Bouteflika claimed he was heading for victory today, in a re-election bid that opponents claim was tainted by fraud.

Bouteflika’s campaign claims it swept yesterday’s presidential race, which was seen as a pivotal test for democracy in oil-rich North African country long dominated by the army and still struggling to emerge from a bloody 12-year Islamic uprising.