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Algerian president sets elections for May 10

Tue Feb 7, 2012 12:14 PM EST
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Associated Press

Two women walk past a snowman in Algiers, Algeria, Monday, Feb. 6, 2012. Snow made a rare appearance in Algiers, the capital city of Algeria. Meteorology reports suggest that the last time Algiers saw this amount of snow was at least seven years ago in 2005. (AP Photo/Ouahab Hebbat)

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ALGIERS — Algeria's president has announced on state television that elections will be held May 10.

President Abdelaziz Bouteflika broke with tradition by making the announcement directly to Algerians instead of convening the electoral college to set the date.

He said Thursday the elections would pave the way to rebuilding the Algerian state to one characterized by good governance and social justice.

Bouteflika promised a clean election with surveillance carried out by representatives of the political parties as well as an independent political commission.

International observers will also be allowed to monitor the contests.

The president exhorted the political parties and unions to mobilize the electorate — turnout in the last elections was just 36 percent.

© 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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