Algerian Presidential Hopefuls Face Jail in Signature Buying Scandal
Three candidates risk 10-year prison terms in a major electoral fraud case involving the purchase of nomination signatures for Algeria’s last presidential election.
Watan-The case of signature buying in Algeria’s most recent presidential election has taken a dramatic turn, as the Public Prosecutor has requested 10-year prison sentences for three candidates: former minister Belkacem Sahli, prominent businesswoman Saida Neghza, and political activist Abdelhakim Hammadi.
According to ongoing trial proceedings at the criminal court of Sidi M’hamed in Algiers, the prosecutor also called for a fine of one million Algerian dinars for each of the three defendants. Additional prison sentences ranging from 5 to 8 years were requested for other accused individuals, including Neghza’s son, local officials, members of the Algerian Confederation of Enterprises, and citizens who facilitated or executed the purchase of nomination signatures.
The prosecution further demanded the confiscation of all seized assets tied to the case and the upholding of an international arrest warrant against Saida Neghza’s second son, who reportedly fled the country.
Algeria’s Signature Scandal: Dozens of Officials Face Trial Over Presidential Nomination Bribes
The scandal dates back to August of the previous year, during preparations for the presidential race. Investigators suspected several candidates of buying both citizen and elected-official nomination signatures in exchange for large sums of money to meet the legal threshold for candidacy.
Then-Attorney General Lotfi Bougmaâ (now Justice Minister) stated that over 50 elected officials had confessed in formal statements to receiving bribes ranging between 20,000 and 30,000 dinars (about $100–200) in exchange for endorsements. He also confirmed that ten middlemen were questioned, most of whom admitted their involvement.
Three candidates now face charges under anti-corruption laws, including undue advantage, abuse of power, offering and accepting bribes, and facilitating electoral fraud. A total of 68 defendants—most of them elected officials—were placed in pre-trial detention, with the case involving 74 suspects overall.
In recent court hearings, several defendants denied all charges, despite investigative findings alleging a deal to collect 50,000 signatures for Saida Neghza in exchange for 4 billion centimes (about $300,000). Local officials were also heard for allegedly signing in favor of candidates for financial compensation. After the prosecution’s recommendations, the defense is expected to present its arguments before the court issues a final verdict.
Prior to the trial, the three candidates were under judicial supervision, barred from travel, media appearances, or political activities.
Rejected Candidates, Political Alliances, and Signature Wars in Algeria’s Presidential Race
Belkacem Sahli leads the Republican National Alliance and ran under the Stability and Reform coalition. A former Secretary of State for Algerians Abroad under the late President Abdelaziz Bouteflika, he was a known supporter of Bouteflika’s controversial fifth term.
Saida Neghza, a controversial businesswoman and head of the National Confederation of Enterprises, had recently criticized Algeria’s economic policies in a letter to President Abdelmadjid Tebboune, which led to public backlash and her temporary departure from the country before returning to announce her candidacy.
Abdelhakim Hammadi, an independent candidate, gained visibility on social media with a campaign titled “National Safety.”
During the signature collection phase, all three challenged the electoral authority’s decision to reject their candidacies, accusing it of manipulating files despite their meeting the required quotas.
Of the 16 applicants for the presidency, only three were approved: current President Abdelmadjid Tebboune, Abdelali Hassani Cherif (Movement of Society for Peace), and Youcef Aouchiche (Socialist Forces Front), whose files were forwarded to the Constitutional Court. Others were allowed to appeal.
Under Algerian electoral law, candidates must collect 50,000 citizen signatures or opt for the shorter route—600 individual signatures from elected members in municipal, provincial, or parliamentary bodies.
