Tunisia election appears unfair as Saied’s rivals excluded & face challenges

The Presidency of the Tunisian Republic’s Facebook page broadcasted a video on 19 July where Kais Saied announced his re-election bid on 6 October. Saied filmed the announcement in Borj el-Khadra, emphasizing the country’s unity.

In his speech, Saied criticized his unnamed adversaries for disloyalty and conspiracy, warning against interference in the signature collection process. The use of state resources in a closed military zone for his announcement raised issues of inequity.

Legal challenges faced by other candidates, including Lotfi Mraihi and Abdellatif Mekki, highlighted the obstacles to fair competition. Mraihi’s sentencing raised questions of corruption, while Mekki faced restrictions on movement and speech.

Others like Abir Moussi and Issam Chebbi also encountered administrative hurdles in their candidacy. The upcoming election, marred by arrests and political interference, raises doubts about the ISIE’s independence and the fairness of the process.

Challenges Ahead

The current climate of repression and bias in the electoral process, with arbitrary arrests and lack of transparency, calls into question the credibility of the October election. The composition of the electoral body and interference in candidate processes further cast doubt on the independence of the electoral system.