Rabat – The Algerian Constitutional Council stated that a presidential election would not be able to take place on July 4 due to a lack of valid candidates.
The council announced the decision on Sunday amid continuous protest against the interim government. The decision might result in an extension of the rule of Abdelkader Bensalah, who was appointed interim president upon the resignation of Abdelaziz Bouteflika.
Protests have been sweeping across Algeria since February 22 as demonstrators call for radical change from Bouteflika’s government and its elites.
Read Also: Algerian Police Make Arrests Amid Peaceful Protests
Protesters have called for a boycott of the election. The Algerian Constitutional Council shared in a televised statement that the election was “impossible” on the previous announced date as the two candidates were deemed “invalid.”
Friday, May 31 marked 15 weeks of protests in Algeria. The interim government deployed dozens of police troops to crack down on the peaceful protests. Police have also arrested many demonstrators during the protests.
