Algeria’s Presidential Election set for July 4 is likely to get delayed as the two contenders who have submitted candidacies for the election does not meet the necessary requirements to run, reported France 24.
On Sunday, Algeria’s Constitutional Council announced Abdelhakim Hamadi and Hamid Touahri, both unknown figures to the public, had registered for the country’s July 4th presidential election. But as per local media, both the candidates are highly unlikely to meet the necessary requirements to run for the post. To be eligible, the candidates have to be backed by 600 local councilors and lawmakers or 60,000 voters in more than half the country’s regions.
“The election… will without any doubt be postponed or canceled”, the francophone El Watan daily asserted.
The presidential election in Algeria was originally scheduled for April 18. But the election was postponed after President Abdelaziz Bouteflika was forced to resign early last month vowing to huge street protests which were sparked by his decision in February to run for a fifth consecutive term in office. The protest still continues as Algerians are demanding the removal of officials associated with former President Bouteflika and the postponement of the presidential election.
Last Friday, thousand s of protestors gathered near the the iconic Grand Post Office in downtown Algiers building and chanted slogans against the country’s powerful army chief, Lieutenant General Ahmed Gaid Salah. They held up placards against Salah, accusing him of attempting to “thwart their revolution”.
The protestors want regime figures including army chief Salah and interim President Abdelkader Bensalah to step down ahead of any poll and demand new independent institutions to oversee voting.
The protest on Friday marked the 14th consecutive week of demonstrations.
Meanwhile, Salah is insisting the election to be conducted as planned.
“The presidential election would stop [the scheming] of those who are trying to prolong the crisis,” the army chief said on Monday.
He emphasized the “need to expedite the establishment of an independent body to organize and oversee the elections.”
