ALGIERS, Algeria 

Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune on Thursday said he seeks a second presidential term in the election scheduled for Sept. 7. 

Tebboune, 78, who assumed office in 2019 following the resignation of his predecessor, the late President Abdelaziz Bouteflika, said his decision to run again was in response to the wishes of various political and non-political entities.

He announced in March that the presidential election in the gas rich North African nation of 45 million will be held in September, three months ahead of schedule.

The National Independent Authority for Elections said as many as 35 candidates have expressed interest in running for the presidency. The deadline for submitting candidacy applications is July 18.

Several major political parties, including the National Liberation Front, the Democratic National Rally, the Future Movement, and the National Construction Movement, have voiced their support for Tebboune’s re-election bid.   

*Writing by Mohammad Sio