Presidential elections: Algeria’s Constitutional Council determines official candidates

The Constitutional Council Monday finished examining 12 applications for the presidential elections due to be held in April. Six names only were confirmed to run for office while seven others were dropped. Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika’s application remains controversial due to his health certificates, Echorouk has learnt.

Five names had already run for office. Bouteflika is expected to compete with Algeria’s former head of government Ali Benflis who were a candidate for the 2004’s presidential elections. Secretary General of the Workers’ Party Louisa Hanoune who also run for office in 2004 and 2004 is among the candidates for 2014’s elections. The Constitutional Council confirmed the candidacy of the leader of the Ahd 54 political party Ali Fouzi Rebaine, the leader of the Algerian National Front Moussa Touati and the leader of the Mustakbal (future) Front Abdelaziz Belaid who runs for office for the first time, according to the same sources.

Political observers believe that President Bouteflika’s health certificates continue to raise controversy among opposition parties and those who reject the fourth term.

The Constitutional Council will reveal the reasons behind dropping the six names: Ali Zaghdoud, Mahfoud Adoul, Ali Ben Ouari, Mohamed Ben Hamou, Sadek Tamache and Abdelhakim Hamadi.