Algiers (dpa) - Former prime minister Abdelmadjid Tebboune was elected Algeria's president with 58.15 per cent of the vote, in contested elections held amid protests by opponents who boycotted the poll they deemed as a farce.

Tebboune won 4.9 million votes, the head of the electoral commission, Mohammed Sharafi, said on Friday.

Thousands of protesters took to the streets of the capital Algiers shortly after. They headed to Grand Post square, the focal point for anti-government rallies this year, while chanting "the elections are rigged."

About 24 million Algerians were eligible to vote in Thursday's presidential elections, held eight months after long-time ruler Abdelaziz Bouteflika was forced to resign following pressure by mass protests.

Bouteflika ruled OPEC-member Algeria for two decades, an era that was dominated by cronyism and mismanagement.

Protesters continued their weekly rallies ahead of the election, demanding an overhaul of the political system and the departure of key Bouteflika-era officials, including the country's military chief of staff, Gaid Salah, despite his attempts to distance himself from Bouteflika and expressing his support for the anti-corruption drive which put several of the former officials on trial.

The five contenders who were vying for the presidency were also criticized for being once part of or aligned with Bouteflika's rule.

Turnout reached 39.83 per cent, according to Sharafi. The head of Elbinaa Islamist party, Abdelkader Bengrina, came second with 17.38 per cent of the vote.

Tebboune, 74, was appointed prime minister in May 2017, but was sacked after three months. His time in office was dominated by a conflict with businessmen, especially after his defence of "the separation between money and the state."

Reports have suggested he is close to military chief Gaid Saleh, though Tebboune denied he was backed by the army.

Thursday's election was held amid protests in the capital Algiers and several eastern cities, while people stormed some polling stations and destroyed the ballots. Clashes between protesters and security forces erupted in some areas.

Some Algerians took to Twitter to express their rejection of Tebboune's election.

"[Tebboune] is not my president. These fake elections do not represent me," one Algerian wrote.

Former prime minister Ali Benflis came third with 10 per cent of the vote, followed by leader of the Democratic National Rally party (RND) Azzedine Mihoubi with 7.2 per cent, while former lawmaker Abdelaziz Belaid got 6.6 per cent.

Mihoubi congratulated Tebboune and promised to support him. He also said his campaign will not contest the results.

"Our goal was to contribute to the success of the election, which meant success for Algeria," he said according to Ennahar television.
The Constitutional Council, which oversees elections in Algeria, will announce final results between December 16 and 25.