US State Department concerned about Algeria poll fraud

The US State Department said Friday it was 'concerned' at fraud accusations during the 90 percent-re-election victory of Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika.

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• “We certainly are aware of the complaints” of electoral fraud, said State Department spokesman Richard Aker, noting that one of the main opposition parties boycotted the vote.
• He said the United States is “concerned about these issues,” without showing scepticism about the elections’ legitimacy.
•   “We see no reason not to assume that we will continue to work with the president for his next term of office,” he added.
• “First of all, we are looking forward to working with President Bouteflika as he begins his third term.”
• “We want to work with him as he continues the process of economic and political reform and reconciliation that he began in his first terms.”
• On the other hand, delegations from the African Union, the Arab League and the Organization of the Islamic Conference showed satisfaction over the conditions in which the poll was held. They describe it as “free and democratic.”