Algeria referendum turnout record low of 23.7%

Algiers: The turnout for a referendum in Algeria on Sunday to revise the constitution, which the regime hopes will neutralise a protest movement, was 23.7 per cent, electoral commission chairman Mohamed Charfi said, a historic low for a major election.

The “yes” camp was almost certain to win after the Hirak protest movement called for a boycott, but the dismal participation could represent a setback for President Abdelmadjid Tebboune, currently hospitalised overseas.