Algeria launches probe into reported poll violations

ALGIERS

Judicial investigations have been launched into suspected voter fraud that may have occurred during Algeria’s recent legislative elections, Justice Minister Tayeb Louh announced Thursday.

“Investigations were launched based on complaints lodged by certain political parties,” Louh said without specifying the parties in question.

He stressed, however, that the violations -- if proven -- would not have been enough to affect the poll’s ultimate outcome.

Last week, Abdelwahab Derbal, head of Algeria's official electoral commission, said the commission had received 328 reports of violations, 16 of which were referred to the country’s attorney-general.

Algeria’s May 4 parliamentary polls saw President Abdelaziz Bouteflika’s ruling National Liberation Front (FLN) clinch 164 out of 462 seats in the assembly, while the National Democratic Rally -- a coalition partner of the FLN -- came in second with 97 seats.

The Movement of Society for Peace, Algeria’s largest Islamic party, came in third with 33 seats.

*Reporting by Abdel Razek Abdallah; Writing by Mahmoud Barakat