Presidential elections: candidates should declare that they are Muslim

A new draft bill on elections set new conditions to run for office. Candidates should declare that he is Muslim and it is forbidden to withdraw from the electoral race.

Candidates also should submit an honor declaration that he has an Algerian nationality and has never had other nationality. He should have stayed in Algeria for 10 years before he runs for office.

According to the draft law, candidates of political parties are not obliged to submit an electoral program. The number signatures required for independent candidates would be reduced. 

The government will raise electoral campaign-related expenses. 

Article 144 prevents any candidate from withdrawing after the Constitutional Council approves his application. The withdrawal is accepted if there is a serious reason legally proven by the Council or the candidate dies. In this case, another deadline is given to run for office which must not exceed the last month before the date of voting.