President Abdelaziz Bouteflika has proposed to appoint former Islamist figure and aid, Abdelwahab Derbal, as the chairman of the High Independent Election Monitoring Body. In line with the new constitution adopted in February, the Algerian President appoints the chairman of the body, which will replace the much criticized “National Commission of election Supervision” and “National Commission for Election Surveillance” after consulting political parties. A statement issued by the President’s office urged political parties to react to the president’s choice until the end of October when the nominee will be inaugurated. Derbal will lead the 410-member body expected to oversee next year legislatives. He joined the ruling party in early 2000 and held the position of minister in charge of relations with parliament from 2000 to 2002.

Source: The North Africa Journal October 10, 2016 14:15 UTC