Algeria presidential polls 'impossible' on July 4: constitutional council

Algiers: It will be "impossible" to organise Algeria's presidential elections on July 4 as planned, the country's constitutional council said Sunday after the only two candidates were rejected.

"The constitutional council rejects the candidature applications" and as a result has announced "the impossibility of holding presidential elections on July 4", according to a statement carried by national television.

The polls were due to elect a successor to long-time leader Abdelaziz Bouteflika, who stood down in April in the face of mass protest.