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Algeria arrests 35 on charges of fraud, forgery during elections 

June 22, 2021 at 10:28 am

Algerian elections staff count ballots for parliamentary elections at a polling station in Bouchaoui, on the western outskirts of the capital Algiers, on June 12, 2021 [RYAD KRAMDI/AFP via Getty Images]

Some 35 people have been arrested in Algeria on charges of attempting fraud and forgery during the parliamentary elections that took place days ago

The ministry said in a statement that in line with securing the legislative elections “appropriate judicial measures have been taken and they have resulted in the imprisonment of 35 persons and placing ten people under judicial oversight.”

Some of the defendants have received effective prison sentences ranging from six to 18 months in prison and fines of 100,000 Algerian dinars (about $700).

The statement indicated that these rulings came within the framework of several judicial follow-ups.

Meanwhile, investigations are ongoing across all states regarding 86 reported incidents attributed to 67 people and two other unknown persons in relation to violating the electoral law, according to the statement.

The ministry explained that “most of the incidents invoking the aforementioned judicial procedures are related to distributing election-linked flyers on election day, disturbing and entering the polling stations.”

READ: Voter turnout reaches 30% in Algeria parliamentary elections

The statement added that other incidents concern the theft of ballot papers from polling stations, bribing voters, inserting voting papers into ballot boxes in the absence of voters, and other offences.

On 12 June, early parliamentary elections were held in Algeria, which saw the National Liberation Front win 105 seats, independents garner 78 seats and the Movement of Society for Peace allocated 64 seats.

The National Democratic Rally party ranked fourth with 57 seats, followed by the Future Front with 48 seats, and the Movement for National Construction with 40 seats, while other parties shared the rest of the seats, according to official data.

These results are provisional, as the Constitutional Council is expected to announce the final results within ten days of receiving the reports and examining the appeals.