Presidential candidates question election results in Algeria

Both opposition candidates in Algeria's presidential election, are contesting the results, alleging fraud and irregularities in Saturday’s vote, AFP reports. Incumbent President Abdelmadjid Tebboune was declared the winner Sunday by the electoral authority (ANIE), with nearly 95% of the vote. Abdelaali Hassani from the Movement of Society for Peace and Youcef Aouchiche of the Socialist Forces Front, disputed voter turnout figures. Hassani criticized the election as a "masquerade" and claimed the turnout figures were manipulated, after receiving just 3.17% of the vote. Aouchiche warned that Algeria was in a "dangerous situation" and announced plans to appeal the results.

ANIE reported a provisional average turnout rate of 48%, but both candidates questioned its validity. Despite Tebboune's overwhelming win, his campaign joined the others in raising concerns about irregularities in the process. The Constitutional Court is expected to review the appeals and validate the final results.