algiers algeria rule party retain majority local elections take 50 percent vote interior minister say friday turnout thursday vote reach 46.83 percent slightly 42.92 percent 2012 minister noureddine bedoui tell reporters participation closely watch officials attempt reverse trend increase political apathy half algeria population 30 many feel disconnect age elite run country elections come amid continue question health president abdelaziz bouteflika power since 1999 make rare appearances since suffer stroke 2013. thursday election two rule party national liberation front fln national rally democracy rnd get 30.56 percent 23.21 percent respectively bedoui say rnd lead prime minster ahmed ouyahia make gain also parliamentary elections may boost number seat 463 less 250 2012. fln share seat slightly low five years ago total 1,541 seat contest islamists include movement society peace msp coalition three small party lose grind take 57 seat bouteflika credit many bring opec member algeria 1990s conflict islamist militants oversee period high oil price vast public spend government recently attempt reduce spend cope sharp fall oil revenues since 2014. algeria 's rule party retain majority local elections