Algiers - Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika was elected to an unprecedented third term with 90.24 per cent of the vote, Interior Minister Nouredine Yazid Zerhouni announced Friday. The re-election of the 72-year-old Bouteflika was considered a foregone conclusion after the two main opposition parties decided to boycott the vote, alleging that it had been "rigged in advance."

The five candidates who stood against Bouteflika were marginal political figures little known by the general public.

Analysts were surprised by higher than expected voter turnout. According to official figures, 74.54 per cent of Algeria's 20.6 million eligible voters cast their ballots in Thursday's vote.

During his campaign he urged people to go to polling stations, even if it meant voting against him. On Wednesday, he had said that only a turnout of 70 per cent or better would give him a true mandate.(dpa)