Preliminary results show that Algeria’s ruling National Liberation Front led by President Abdelaziz Bouteflika is winning in the local elections held on Thursday, Anadolu has reported.

However, support for the party fell back in some areas where it was beaten by the National Rally for Democracy headed by Prime Minister Ahmed Ouyahia, which stands in second place overall. The Movement for the Society of Peace is in third place.

In most localities, one or other of the two major parties is on top, with the president’s party edging the race at the moment. The Algerian Islamic movement has maintained its position as the third largest political grouping at local level.

Read: Algeria prevents candidates from separatist movements from running for municipal elections