Algeria's former Prime Minister Abdelmadjid Taboun appears to win the presidential election in the first round, having secured over 58 percent of votes, the head of the country's High Independent Authority for Elections said on Friday.
"I congratulate candidate Abdelmadjid Taboun on his victory, as we await the announcement of the final result of the vote," Mohammed Sharafi said at a press conference.
The voter turnout in the first round of the election, held on Thursday, slightly exceeded 39 percent.
In September, the People's National Assembly of Algeria - the lower house of the parliament - approved a draft law to ensure fair presidential elections, as well as resolve issues between government and the opposition.
The rallies had continued, with participants calling for the old guard to be completely removed from power.
In early July, Bensalah announced a new initiative to settle the deadlock by engaging in a dialogue which would exclude members of both the government and the military.
