Algerians vote in parliamentary elections while facing cost-of-living strains and candidate bans

Algerians are voting in parliamentary elections amid concerns over cost-of-living issues and candidate bans. Nearly 25 million voters are choosing among 1,235 candidates for 407 seats, with the government declaring a paid holiday to boost turnout. Over 269 candidates, including some from the Hirak pro-democracy movement, were banned for alleged links to illicit financial networks and suspicious political activities.