Algerian president calls presidential elections on April 18

ALGIERS, Jan. 18 (Xinhua) -- Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika on Friday issued a decree calling presidential elections on April 18.

According to the decree, local authorities are required to review and update electoral lists from Jan. 23 to Feb. 5.

However, Bouteflika has not yet announced whether to run for a fifth term in office, despite the declared support from the ruling and pro-regime parties for him in seeking re-election.

Meanwhile, some opposition parties, including Islamists, say the elections should be postponed for two years, suggesting the appointment of a transitional cabinet tasked with preparing free and fair elections.