Algiers - More than 20,000 police officers were deployed on Thursday in and around the Algerian capital Algiers as voters went to the polls to elect a new president.

The city was under a security alert because officials feared that Islamic terrorists would attempt to disrupt the vote.

In addition, some 200 international observers, including 85 sent by the Arab League, were on hand to scrutinize the election, the outcome of which is universally considered a foregone conclusion.

With the two main opposition parties boycotting the vote, the incumbent, Abdelaziz Bouteflika, is almost certain to win election to a third five-year term against five opponents with only marginal support.

However, a crucial indication of the depth of opposition to Bouteflika and his government will be how many of the 20.6 million eligible voters cast their ballots.

Early indications in Algiers were that turnout could be low, as mostly the elderly appeared at polling stations in the capital in the morning.

However, according to tradition, the men generally cast their ballots later in the morning and women voted in the afternoon.

Results of the vote were eexpected to be announced Friday. (dpa)