Editing Abdelaziz Bouteflika (section)

=== Second term as President, 2004–2009 ===
On 8 April 2004, Bouteflika was re-elected by an unexpectedly high 85% of the vote in an [[2004 Algerian presidential election]] that was accepted by Western observers as a free and fair election. This was contested by his rival and former chief of staff [[Ali Benflis]]. Several newspapers alleged that the election had not been fair.<ref name="Holm" /> Frustration was expressed over extensive state control over the broadcast media. The electoral victory was widely seen as a confirmation of Bouteflika's strengthening control over the state, cemented through forcing General [[Mohammed Lamari]] to resign as his chief of staff and replacing him "with [[Ahmed Salah Gaid]], his close friend and ally.

Only 17% of people in Kabylia voted in 2004, which represented a significant increase over the violence-ridden legislative elections of 2002. Country-wide, the registered turnout rate was 59%.