[ad_1]
The Algerian constitutional council said Sunday that it was impossible to hold elections to choose the successor of the overthrown president, Abdelaziz Bouteflika, early next month, as planned, after the rejection of both candidates.
"The constitutional council rejects the candidacies" and has therefore announced "the impossibility of organizing presidential elections on July 4," according to a statement broadcast by national television.
It will now be up to interim President Abdelkader Bensalah to "reconvene the electorate and finalize the electoral process" until a new leader is sworn in, the council said.
Bensalah, the former Speaker of the Upper House, was appointed on April 9 under constitutional rules that a presidential election must then be held within 90 days.
But the planned vote sparked widespread protests as Algerian protesters demanded that Bouteflika's allies step down to make room for a broader political overhaul before the elections.
The July vote was backed by the Algerian army chief, General Ahmed Gaid Salah, one of the main power sellers who supported Bouteflika until he finally called for the dismissal of the president. long-time leader, who resigned in April despite mbad protests.
Source link
