Benflis: I will not withdraw from elections race

Candidate for the Algerian presidential elections Ali Benflis critisized the administration for “stealing votes for another candidate,” saying those wrongdoings will not prevent him from entering the race to reach power.

In a meeting with the Constitutional Council’s president Mourad Medelci, Benflis said he will not withdraw and his supporters want the Council to be “rights protector.”

“People do not accept that their will is stolen. The Constitutional Council is in charge of keeping watch on the electoral process,” he told reporters.

He believes that the elections due to be held in April will be a decisive event to get Algeria out of the “serious crisis.” Otherwise, it will deepen it.

“There is no fake document in my application,” he added.

“Using people’s properties in favor of a candidate is illegal. If justice was independent, thousands of people would have lodged complaints against those who used civil state registers,” said Benflis.

He added boycotting the elections will open door to fraud.

He also said he will not keep silent anymore to show people that he can get Algeria out of the crisis.

“I hope that the elections will be held in transparent conditions.”