Massive protests in Algeria against President Bouteflika's election bid

Thousands of protesters marched across streets of the capital city on Friday objecting President Abdelaziz Bouteflika's bid to run for Presidential elections, for a fifth term, scheduled to take place on April 18.

Al Jazeera reported that numerous police helicopters hovered over the streets leading to the presidential headquarters, along with riot police deployed at the neighbourhood firing tear gas shells at the protestors gathered to display public discontentment regarding the leadership.

Pictures viral on the social media also showed protestors setting pictures of Bouteflika on fire amid whistles and cheers and calling for his resignation.

On January 18, President Bouteflika announced that the North African country would go for Presidential elections on April 18, however, without clearing whether the incumbent President will stand for the fifth consecutive term or not.

The 81-year-old incumbent president had last addressed the nation more than six years ago and has been sick since he suffered a stroke in 2013.

According to media reports, the Algerian President is largely considered to debilitate under the rule of the military and elites.

However, Bouteflika is expected to submit a formal application to seek re-election on Sunday (March 3).