ALGIERS, Dec. 11 (Xinhua) -- Algerians are set to elect a new president on Thursday amid existence of protagonists and antagonists for the elections.

The upcoming elections are seen by some as a safe way-out to the political crisis hitting the nation for almost 10 months, amid weekly popular marches demanding radical change and which forced former President Abdelaziz Bouteflika to step down in April.

A total of five candidates are running for these elections, namely Azzeddine Mihoubi, 60, interim secretary general of the ex-ruling party of the National Democratic Rally (RND) and former minister of culture; Abdelkader Bengrina, 57, former minister and head of the Construction Movement party; Abdelmadjid Tebboune, 73, a former prime minister; Ali Benflis, 75, a former prime minister and head of the Vanguard of Freedoms party; in addition to Secretary General of the Front of the Future Abdelaziz Belaid who is 56 years old.

Algerian Army Chief of Staff Ahmed Gaid Salah said on Monday that "the presidential polls of Dec. 12 are crucial steps for building the rule of law, and a passage that will lead our country to a new bright and promising era, where the Algerian people would finally be able to achieve their legitimate aspirations for a decent life, in a country whose glory will be made by its loyal sons."

He further warned "to face with the force of law anyone trying to hinder or disturb this important electoral juncture," recalling that "strict instructions have been given to army and security services to act with the utmost vigilance in a bid to secure the elections and enable citizens all over the country to fulfil their electoral act within calm and serenity."

Meanwhile, hundreds of Algerians have taken to the streets in recent weeks in several cities across the country, chanting slogans praising the electoral process as the only safe path to put an end to the political crisis hitting the nation.

They also called up the European Parliament to cease interfering in domestic affairs of Algeria, saying they are free and independent in their country.

However, some voices, among the opposition fractions and elite installed abroad, have been urging the voters to boycott Thursday's polls under the pretext that these elections "would be the passage back for the old guard to regain power," after former president Abdelaziz Bouteflika stepped down in April.

The antagonists have already rejected to present or to endorse any candidate for Dec. 12 elections, saying these polls "will be once again rigged."

But, the Head of the National Independent Elections Authority (ANIE) Mohamed Charfi reassured that the electoral process will be monitored through specialized computer system, which "would make it impossible for any party to fraud it."

For his part, the interim President Abdelkader Bensalah said that the approved Organic Law on the National Independent Elections Authority and the Organic Law on the Electoral System introduce capital and unprecedented changes in the electoral process to guarantee fair and free polls.

Some 24.5 million Algerians are eligible to cast their vote on Thursday. The ANIE said in a statement "this vote is decisive for the future of Algeria, as it would put an end to the 10-month long political crisis."

As many as 501,031 supervisors have been mobilized, of whom 427,854 supervisors are tasked to monitor 61,014 polling stations, while 66,410 supervisors are due to monitor 13,181 voting centers.

The authority added that the supervision process is also backed up by 6,164 supervisors from the municipal electoral commissions, and 147 supervisors from prefect electoral commissions.

The voting operation has already started abroad, as 914,308 eligible voters among Algerian diaspora all over the world have began casting their vote on Saturday.

Also, nomad populations in remote areas in southern Algeria have also started voting two days ago. Enditem

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