Bouteflika personally registers at Constitutional Council

Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika Monday registered his candidacy for the presidential elections due to be held in April in a first appearance since his last one with a Kuwaiti representative.

The President arrived at the Constitutional Council’s building based in Ben Aknoun in Algiers at around 5 pm. One hour later, he left accompanied by his bodyguards.

Reporters noticed that the president was sitting next to the driver and waved people who were there as he entered the Constitutional Council. His little brother and advisor Said was seen in another car.

Reporters were not allowed to enter the building.

The Algerian public TV channel showed images of Bouteflika sitting next to the Council’s president Mourad Medelci and saying few words. His voice showed that he was tired. “I came here to say hello and to register my candidacy in conformity with Article 74 of the Constitution and Article 138 of the law on elections,” said Bouteflika.

Article 74 stipulates that the “presidential mission duration is five years and the President of the Republic can be re-elected.”

Bouteflika’s appearance ended a legal and constitutional controversy about his candidacy registration at the Constitutional Council. Yet, the broadcast images will not end the debate about his health state and his ability to stay in power for a fourth term is he is elected.

Few hours nefore Bouteflika arrived, nine vehicles had brought signatures in support to the fourth term collected by the National Liberation Front (FLN), the National Democratic Rally (RND), the Popular Movement, Algeria’s Hope Rally, the General Union of Algerian Workers, the National Union of Algerian Farmers and the National Union of Algerian Women.