The Algerian Electoral Commission announced today that 23 candidates have been registered for the presidential elections scheduled for December 12.
The elections are being organized eight months after the resignation of long-time president Abdelaziz Bouteflika, who left power under the pressure of street protests. Since then, the country has been largely under the control of the army and Chief of General Staff Ahmed Gaid Salah.
Candidates for the presidential elections must have at least 50.000 signatures, and applications are submitted by tonight at midnight local time.
Among the candidates are former ministers and leaders of political parties, including former Prime Minister Ali Benflis.
The election was originally scheduled for July 4, but was postponed because no candidate filed.
Despite Bouteflika's resignation, protests in Algeria have continued as the protest movement rules out any election of a successor to Bouteflika without the first departure of officials associated with the current state system.
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