Algeria’s Constitutional Council has scrapped presidential election planned for tomorrow, citing a lack of candidates. This has prolonged the period of political transition and risked more anger from protesters.
The move is likely to extend the rule of interim President Abdelkader Bensalah, who was due to stay on, until the vote to elect a new President. President Abdelaziz Bouteflika ended his 20-year rule two months ago under pressure from protesters.
Demonstrations have since continued, with protesters demanding Bensalah’s resignation and an end to the dominance of the elite who have ruled Algeria since it won independence from France in 1962.
In a statement on state television, the Constitutional Council overseeing the country’s transition said two candidates had come forward but were deemed invalid for not meeting the quorum of 60 thousand signatures in support.