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Africa

Distrust of government, apathy loom over Algerian elections

Associated Press
Published | Updated
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    Men sit on a bench while another one pushes his wheelchair by electoral posters near Algiers, Monday, May 1, 2017. Analysts warn that many people may stay away from voting on May 4 parliamentary elections because of a long-running distrust of politics, a sentiment deepened by dirty money scandals during the campaign. 63 parties and many independent lists are competing for 462 seats in the lower house of parliament. (AP Photo/Sidali Djarboub) (The Associated Press)

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    People read electoral posters in Algiers, Monday, May 1, 2017. Analysts warn that many people may stay away from voting on May 4 parliamentary elections because of a long-running distrust of politics, a sentiment deepened by dirty money scandals during the campaign. 63 parties and many independent lists are competing for 462 seats in the lower house of parliament. (AP Photo/Sidali Djarboub) (The Associated Press)

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    Image 3 of 3

    People walk by electoral posters near Algiers, Monday, May 1, 2017. Analysts warn that many people may stay away from voting on May 4 parliamentary elections because of a long-running distrust of politics, a sentiment deepened by dirty money scandals during the campaign. 63 parties and many independent lists are competing for 462 seats in the lower house of parliament. (AP Photo/Sidali Djarboub) (The Associated Press)

ALGIERS, Algeria – Algerians are voting in parliamentary elections the government hopes will give it a mandate as it struggles with low oil prices, dismal job prospects and Islamic extremism.

Voter apathy — and even a potential boycott — are worrying the government. Analysts say bribery scandals during the campaign have deepened long-running distrust of politicians.

A key question is whether President Abdelaziz Bouteflika, rarely seen in public since a 2013 stroke, will make an appearance to vote.

A total of 63 parties and many independent lists are competing for 462 seats in the lower house of parliament. The parties have struggled to come up with enough female candidates to meet a law that requires 30 percent of the next parliament to be women.