The arrested people are suspected of being involved in “signature sales” for the upcoming presidential election set for 7 September.

The three candidates placed under judicial supervision were named as businesswoman Saida Neghza, former minister Belkacem Sahli, and a relatively unknown hopeful named Abdelhakim Hamadi.

While they are not under arrest, they will be required to regularly check in with the authorities until after the investigation is concluded.

“Sixty-eight defendants were placed in temporary detention, three were placed under judicial supervision, and six were released after hearings,” the court said in a statement.

Last week, the attorney general at the Court of Algiers, Lotfi Boudjemaa, told state news agency APS that “more than 50 elected officials” admitted to having unlawfully received money to endorse presidential candidates.