By Opposition parties, presidential candidates, and human rights organizations in Tunisia have raised serious concerns about “arbitrary restrictions” and intimidation tactics employed by authorities ahead of the presidential election scheduled for October 6. These actions are seen as attempts to secure the re-election of incumbent President Kais Saied, who announced his bid for a second term on July 19.
Elected in 2019, Saied dissolved the parliament in 2021 and began ruling by decree, a move widely criticized by the opposition as a coup. Saied has since declared he will not transfer power to what he terms “non-patriots.” As the August 6 deadline for candidate registration approaches, 11 opposition figures hoping to challenge Saied have issued a joint statement condemning the actions of the authorities.
According to the opposition, the new requirement for candidates to provide a certificate of no criminal record has hindered their ability to register. None of the 11 candidates have yet received this document. The Election Commission of Tunisia has stated that the interior ministry will provide the necessary certification but has not specified a timeline for when this will occur. The Commission has denied accusations of bias.
In a separate statement released on Thursday, 17 non-governmental organizations, including the Human Rights League, and six opposition parties criticized government control over public media, the judiciary, and the Elections Commission. They condemned the “climate of intimidation” that has allegedly been created through judicial actions and biased election oversight, arguing that these factors undermine the prospects for free and fair elections.
Presidential candidate Nizar Chaari reported that his campaign manager and a volunteer were recently arrested, and that police had confiscated public endorsements gathered for his candidacy. The Public Prosecutor’s office has accused the two individuals of database theft and endorsement forgery, allegations which Chaari’s campaign disputes.
In another development, opposition party leader Lotfi Mraihi was sentenced earlier this month to eight months in prison for vote buying and barred from future presidential elections. Additionally, candidate Abd Ellatif Mekki has been restricted from media appearances and travel by a judge.
Hela Ben Jaballah, head of the Freedoms Committee in Parliament, has called for the removal of restrictions on presidential candidates and urged the Election Commission to fulfill its role impartially. The Commission maintains that it is already operating in a neutral manner.
Reuters.com
