An Algerian court has sentenced three former presidential hopefuls to 10 years in prison for their involvement in a major electoral fraud case involving the purchase of nomination signatures, according to a judicial source.
Among those convicted are businesswoman Saida Neghza, former minister Belkacem Sahli, and lesser-known candidate Abdelhakim Hamadi. The trio was found guilty of paying to secure the required endorsements to stand in the September presidential election.
The trial, which concluded on May 8 after nine days of hearings, also resulted in prison terms ranging from five to eight years for about 70 other defendants. This group included three of Neghza’s sons and numerous local council members accused of accepting bribes in exchange for their electoral signatures.
The prosecution had initially sought 10-year sentences and fines of one million Algerian dinars (approximately \$7,600) for the primary defendants.
Despite their efforts, none of the three candidates succeeded in registering for the election, which was ultimately won by incumbent President Abdelmadjid Tebboune in a landslide.
Under Algeria’s electoral rules, presidential hopefuls must collect 600 signatures from elected officials across 29 of the country’s 58 provinces or gather 50,000 signatures from citizens, with a minimum of 1,200 from each province.
In August, authorities reported the arrest of 68 individuals linked to the illegal procurement of these endorsements on behalf of the three candidates. The case has highlighted the country’s stringent regulations and ongoing efforts to maintain electoral integrity.