Algeria to hold presidential election on Dec. 12: interim president

Algerian interim President Abdelkader Bensalah announced Sunday that the country will hold a presidential election on Dec. 12 this year.

Algerian interim President Abdelkader Bensalah. [File Photo: VCG]

Algerian official APS news agency quoted Bensalah as saying in a televised speech to the nation that he has decided to set the date of the presidential election for 12 December 2019, noting that "it's time for everybody to put the higher interests of the nation above any other considerations."

He added that he has signed a presidential decree on that issue in accordance with the constitutional and legislative provisions.

Bensalah called for making this event a starting point for Algeria's renovation process, to work jointly and effectively to make a success of this election as it will allow Algerians to vote for a new president meeting the legality requirements.

Bensalah said the presidential election is the only democratic solution, reiterating his commitment to "meeting all the conditions necessary for a free, fair and transparent presidential election."