ALGIERS, Dec. 12 (Xinhua) -- As the Algerian presidential election started on Thursday, a clash of views exists on whether the election is able to end the political crisis that has gripped the North African country since former President Abdelaziz Bouteflika was forced to resign in early April.
Having cast his vote at a polling station in the capital Algiers, Hicham Touati, a middle-aged employee of a government-owned gas and electricity company, told Xinhua that the elections "has given a new birth of nationalism among all Algerians."
"Personally, I hope all people to be positive because I'm sure this election will end the political crisis hitting our country," said Touati.
"The polls are the safest and most secured way out of the crisis," he added.
Hassina Sahraoui, owner of Salama Magazine, said he was optimistic about the results of the election.
"Algerians have to fulfill their duty before claiming their rights ... and people have to follow the new elected president and correct him every time he does not meet promises he made to the people," Sahraoui explained.
Algeria "is moving toward a new era and would be full of stability, prosperity, progress, and understanding," said Slimane, an Imam of a mosque in Hydra in upper Algiers.
However, Athmane Abdelouai, a man in his 40s, expressed pessimism about the elections, saying "the current circumstances would not permit free and fair polls."
Notably, some anti-election marches were staged in downtown Algiers, said Mohammed Chorfi, head of the National Independent Electoral Authority, in a press conference on Thursday.
A total of five candidates are running for the presidential election in Algeria, including former ministers, prime ministers and party leaders.
