Ammon News - Algeria's military-backed president is coasting towards Saturday's election all but certain to win five more years in a vote with no serious rivals after using higher gas revenues to splurge on social benefits.

President Abdulmadjid Tebboune faces two candidates: one a moderate Islamist, the other from the secular opposition, though neither seriously opposes the military establishment widely seen as having called the shots since the 1960s.

A Tebboune victory means Algeria will likely keep policies aimed at strengthening the country's energy exports and enacting limited pro-business reforms while upholding lavish subsidies and keeping a tight rein on internal dissent.

However, many Algerians will be watching to see whether turnout will exceed the 40% registered in 2019's election, held amid the mass 'Hirak' protests that forced Tebboune's predecessor Abdulaziz Bouteflika from power.

Polling opens at 8 a.m. (0700 GMT) and closes at 7 p.m. (1800 GMT).

Reuters