The Algerian Ministry of Interior has announced that  at least 73 potential candidates have requested forms to collect the necessary signatures to run in the presidential election scheduled for July 4th, APS news agency reported.

In a statement, the Ministry said that the list of those wishing to run for the elections included 70 independent candidates and three heads of political parties; the National Republican Alliance, the Future Front and the Algerian Movement for Justice and Development.

The statement added that the candidates had obtained the forms in accordance with the legal provisions, noting that the process is going well.

According to the Algerian electoral law, candidates wishing to run for president must collect 600 signatures from elected members of parliament or municipalities or collect 60,000 signatures of citizens with at least 1,500 signatures from each state.