ALGIERS, April 17 (Xinhua) -- Algerian Interior Minister Tayeb Belaiz said later Thursday that the turnout of the presidential elections reached 51.7 percent.
The higher turnout was recorded in the western province of Relizene with 82 percent, while the lowest was registered in the Berber provinces of Tizi Ouzou, 20.01 percent, and Bejaia, 23.58 percent.
Meanwhile, partial results of the elections show clear advance of incumbent president Abdelaziz Bouteflika in many provinces.
Local El Khabar newspaper reported that Bouteflika won major votes in the provinces of Msila, Setif, Constantine, Tebessa, Tlemcen, Bel Abbes,Tizi Ouzou, Mostaganem, Tipaza, Bouira, Ouargla and Djelfa.
Ali Benflis came second in the aforementioned provinces, the newspaper added.
The female candidate Louisa Hanoun and youngest candidate in the race, Abdelaziz Belaid drifted between the third and fourth place, leaving the bottom places for Moussa Touati and Fawzi Rebaine.
