By Abdelrazek Abdallah

ALGIERS

Head of Algeria's Constitutional Council Mourad Medelci died early Monday at the age of 76, according to local media reports.

Medelci's death comes at a critical time in Algeria as presidential elections are set to be held on April 18, in which his role is central.

Medelci, a close figure to President Abdelaziz Bouteflika, was appointed president of the Constitutional Council in September 2013, replacing Tayeb Belaiz.

The Constitutional Council of Algeria, the country's highest judicial body, monitors the presidential and parliamentary elections and referendums as well as looking into appeals, announces the final results, and examines the constitutionality of laws.

The Council has set March 3 as the deadline for candidate application in the presidential election.

Born in 1943 in Algeria's western province of Tlemcen, Medelci held several ministerial and government posts.

Notably, the president has the sole power to appoint a new head of the Constitutional Council in Algeria.