Police out in force as Algerians vote on revised constitution

Algerians voted on Sunday on whether to approve a revised constitution that imposes term limits, promises new freedoms and aims at answering demands from pro-democracy protesters who pushed out their long-serving, autocratic president last year.

However, opponents of the constitution called for a boycott after they were barred from campaign venues or from expressing their views on public television or radio.

The referendum is taking place symbolically on the 68th anniversary of the beginning of Algeria's war for independence from France.

In one example of public discontent, local residents in the opposition bastion of Tizi-Ouzou shut down voting stations to protest the referendum, prompting electoral authorities to annul the voting in 63 of the region's 67 towns.

Pro-democracy activists say the revised charter doesn't go far enough to open up politics to a new generation of leaders.

Islamist parties say it doesn't do enough to promote Islam and the Arabic language, and oppose a measure on religious freedom.

Meanwhile, the man who pushed for the referendum, President Abdelmadjid Tebboune, is hospitalised in Germany after several people in his administration showed symptoms of the virus.

The 74-year-old's exact ailment and whereabouts are unclear, though a presidential adviser said Sunday that he is "in good health" and continuing medical exams.

The revision of the constitution was among promises the president made when he was elected in December.

It limits presidents and parliament members to two terms, makes it easier to create political parties, and hands some presidential powers to the prime minister, among other changes.

Some 23.5 million Algerian voters are eligible in to take part, though turnout is expected to be low because of the calls for a boycott, a lacklustre campaign — and worries about the virus, which is linked to at least 1,964 deaths in Algeria and has infected more than 57,000 people.