Algerian reconciliation referendum scores major victory

Yesterday's referendum on the reconciliation law in Algeria resulted in a strong endorsement for the measure by the Algerian populace, according to official results.

99.29% of voters said yes to the law, while only 1.37% opposed the measure, the Algerian news agency, APS, said, adding that yes votes numbered 14,793,215, while negative votes numbered only 202,151.

Algerian Minister of Interior Abdelmalek Sellal said yesterday that the turnout accounted for 85.06% of eligible voters.

"Thanks to the security officials which I compliment on behalf of all the Algerian people, voters expressed their choice far from any form of pressure and the referendum was held in normal conditions in all polling stations," APS quoted the interior minister as saying, adding, "Many Algerians hope the vote will herald a new period of serious effort to end Algerian crisis."