Fatshimetry: Conditions for fair elections in Tunisia
In a recent statement, the leader of Tunisia’s main opposition coalition said his group would not participate in the next presidential vote unless certain preconditions for fair elections are met.
Ahmed Nejib Chebbi highlighted the essential conditions for the presentation of a candidate by the National Salvation Front. These include the reopening of the headquarters of the Ennahdha political party, the guarantee of the independence of the electoral commission and the release of imprisoned politicians.
It should be noted that the headquarters of Ennahdha was closed a year ago and that its leader, Rached Ghannouchi, former president of Parliament, was sentenced to 15 months in prison for charges of glorifying terrorism. His supporters believe the accusation is politically motivated.
Since President Kaies Saied consolidated his power in 2021 by suspending the opposition-dominated Parliament, more than 20 political opponents have been charged or detained. He then amended the country’s Constitution through a referendum the following year.
Under the constitutional changes he introduced, the president can appoint members of the electoral authority as well as magistrates.
Although Saied, a former law professor, has not yet announced his candidacy, he is widely expected to run in the presidential election.
The exact date of the elections is not yet known, but they are expected to take place by October this year.
Tunisia is currently going through a tumultuous period marked by political tensions and uncertainties regarding the upcoming electoral process. It is crucial that the conditions required for fair and transparent elections are respected in order to guarantee the legitimacy and democracy of the electoral process in Tunisia.