(27 Nov 1996) French/Nat
Algerians go to the polls on Thursday in a referendum that could lead to a ban on Muslim fundamentalists rising to power.
The vote essentially questions whether democracy can exist in a land of Islam.
Security has been tightened in schools that have been turned into heavily-guarded voting stations.
Algerian authorities fear there could be violence in light of threats that the vote will be disrupted.
The Algerian government has had long standing problems with Muslim fundamentalism.
The government is now trying to eradicate it for good - by holding a referendum to amend the constitution to ban Muslim fundamentalists from rising to power.
They are hoping for a large turnout, but Algerians themselves seem less than enthusiastic.
Still many agree that the issue of terrorism needs to be addressed.
SOUNDBITE: (French)
"All the parties are offering something different, I'm undecided as to how to vote still".
SUPERCAPTION: Vox Pop
Some think communication is the answer.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
"I think that the solution, number one, for the problem in Algeria which is terrorism is dialogue between all parties."
SUPER CAPTION: Vox Pop
Security has been tightened in the schools that have been turned into heavily-guarded voting stations because of fears that the vote will be disrupted by violence.
The government ordered a week-long closure of big markets in the cities, where thousands of army paratroopers, police and paramilitary forces have deployed along the roads.
The authorities also announced a nationwide ban on truck traffic throughout the country starting on Thursday to protect against car bomb attacks by the rebels.
These students belong to the Faculte d'Alger University and some members of the college feel the vote is just an attempt by the Algerian authorities to crack-down on Islamic parties and freedom of speech.
SOUNDBITE: (French)
"Algerian people have been betrayed once again as there's been no proper debate, opinions have been suppressed ahead of this referendum".
SUPER CAPTION: University Teacher
One teacher believes the real core issue is whether democracy can exist in an Islamic land.
SOUNDBITE: (French)
"The question for the people of Algeria at this referendum is can democracy exist in the land of Islam that is at the very centre of the crisis this country is going through at present".
SUPER CAPTION: Said Saadi, leader of the RCD party
Cerdaji jail was the scene of a recent massacre of 100 fundamentalists.
More than 60,000 people have been killed in Algeria's violence since early 1992 when the authorities scrapped a general elections that radical Islamists were poised to win.
Opposition leaders continued their campaign against the referendum, hoping for a low turnout to embarrass the government.
The proposed constitution would replace the 1989 constitution that ended three decades of monopoly rule by the National Liberation Front party.
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