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December 12, 2019

Demonstrations Sweep Algeria as Protesters Demand Boycott of Today's Election
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In Algeria, mass demonstrations rocked the country Wednesday as
protesters demanded the cancellation of today's presidential election to
replace Algeria's longtime President Abdelaziz Bouteflika, who was
forced from power by a mass uprising in April.

Protester: "I won't vote, because these elections themselves are a
betrayal. Everyone who votes is committing a betrayal against our
country, because the summit of stupidity is to try the same experience
with the same people and tools and expect a different result."

Extremely low turnout at the polls is expected today amid widespread
calls to boycott the election, with demonstrators saying that all the
candidates are part of Algeria's long-ruling elite. On Tuesday, two
previous prime ministers were convicted and sentenced to prison over a
corruption scandal that also ensnared other top government officials and
businessmen.


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