Algerians have voted in a presidential election seen as a landmark for democracy.
Western diplomats expected the poll in the North African country to be the freest since independence from France in 1962.
The incumbent, Abdelaziz Bouteflika, is facing five challengers including his former right-hand man, Ali Benflis.
The rivalry between Mr Bouteflika and Mr Benflis, whom he
sacked last year, lent suspense to the vote held under new electoral rules aimed at guarding against fraud.
President Bouteflika, elected in 1999 after all six of his rivals pulled out alleging rampant vote-rigging, centred his re-election campaign on his efforts to end the country's devastating civil war.
The Bouteflika-Benflis split has also divided the longtime ruling National Salvation Front (FLN), as the president was forced
to stand as an independent with Benflis bearing the FLN standard.
If no candidate wins more than 50%, the election will go to a run-off between the two leading candidates on 22 April. Official results were not expected until Friday.
