32 candidates apply to run for Algeria presidential elections

The Algerian Interior Ministry announced yesterday that it has received 32 applications for candidates wishing to run in April’s presidential elections.

Just three days after the application process was opened, the ministry said in a statement: “We received 32 letters of candidate’s desire to run. Nine from heads of political parties and 23 letters from independent candidates.”

The ministry published a list of personalities and parties that submitted applications for nomination to withdraw the agency form.

Retired Algerian general Ali Ghediri on Saturday became the first candidate to announce that he would be running for president in April’s election.

READ: Opposition in Algeria does not object to delaying elections

Algeria’s ailing President Abdelaziz Bouteflika, 81, has ruled Algeria since 1999 and is see his fourth term come to an end in April. He has yet to announce whether he will run for a fifth term.

The president suffered a stroke in 2013 which has limited his movement and confined him to a wheelchair. He has made very few public appearances since the stroke.

Who’s really in charge in Algeria – Cartoon [Sabaaneh/MiddleEastMonitor]