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320 foreign observers to monitor Algerian polls

Xinhua, April 5, 2017 Adjust font size:

More than 300 international observers will monitor Algerian parliamentary elections on May 4, an Algerian official said on Wednesday.

Abdelouahab Derbal, head of the Independent High Electoral Commission, said that the number of the observers, who belong to various international bodies, is between 310 and 320.

"Some 150 observers belong to the Arab League, while 150 others are from the African Union, in addition to about 20 observers from the Organization of Islamic Cooperation," he said, adding that "the number of the European Union and the United Nations is yet to be determined."

He further noted that these observers are due to come to Algeria a day before the election day.

Marked by the participation of 12,591 candidates, May 4 elections are the sixth electoral contest since 1989, when the North African nation has adopted multi-party system.

The two ruling parties of the National Liberation Front (FLN) and the National Democratic Rally (RND) confirmed their participation, saying their objective is to safeguard their majority in local assemblies and the two houses of parliament.

The majority of opposition parties, either Islamists or secular, have decided to participate in this next electoral contest. Endit