The elections will be the first after Abdelaziz Bouteflika who served four consecutive terms as President was forced to abandon his bid for a fifth term by the popular protests in April this year.

In the capital city of Algiers alone, about 3,000 protesters reportedly assembled before the main post office to press on with the demand for the ousting of the entire ruling elite.

The strike will also demand the constitution of a transitional government which includes opposition members. Massive demonstrations began a few weeks ago after president Abdelaziz Bouteflika announced he would contest another term

The 82 year-old President’s regime had been marked by increasing social inequality and rising unemployment due to the neoliberal economic reforms.