President Kais Saied has been accused of blocking rivals ahead of October 6 presidential vote.
The Tunisian police recently arrested opposition politician Ayachi Zammel, who was confirmed as a challenger to President Kais Saied in the upcoming elections. Zammel was detained just before the announcement by the electoral commission that he had made it onto the final candidates’ list for the October 6 poll.
Accusations have emerged against Saied, with rights groups claiming he is trying to eliminate political competition. Zammel was taken into custody outside Tunis for allegedly falsifying endorsements in support of his election bid.
President Saied, seeking re-election, has faced criticism for his power grabs in 2021 and crackdown on opposition figures. The electoral commission also confirmed Zouhair Maghzaoui as the only other candidate beside Saied.
Multiple candidates have been disqualified for alleged signature forgery, sparking protests demanding their reinstatement. Human Rights Watch has condemned the government’s actions against potential candidates, pointing out the lack of fair competition.
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