A record six in 10 Algerians abstained from voting in the country's presidential election, AFP news agency reports.

The electoral authority chief Mohamed Charfi announced on national television that under 40% of registered voters cast a ballot on Thursday.

The turnout was the lowest rate for a multi-party election in the country's history, AFP reports.

Thousands of people took to the streets of the capital, Algiers, to protest against Thursday's residential election.

They are demanding the sweeping away of Algeria's entire political establishment.

All five presidential candidates standing in the election were closely linked with the rule of ex-President Abdelaziz Bouteflika.

President Bouteflika was in power for two decades, but was ousted following anti-government demonstrations across the country.

For close to a year, thousands of Algerians have been protesting every Friday in the capital, Algiers and other cities across the country against any elections under the current government.

They want all officials associated with the regime of ousted President Bouteflika to be removed from office.