Algerian police break up a rally on the eve of presidential poll

Police in Algeria broke up a rare anti-government protest on the eve of today’s presidential election. Demonstrators from the group “Barakat” – which means “Enough” – were out numbered two-to-one by officers as they tried to stage a sit-in. A spokesperson for the group said they were protesting at what he described as the “electoral masquerade”. Although recovering from a stroke President Abdelaziz Bouteflika is expected to be returned for a fourth term Chanting “ Algeria -free and democratic” the protesters see the poll as slanted towards the ruling Front de Liberation Nationale (FLN) which together with the army has been the main influence in Algeria’s politics since independence from France in 1962.