Tunisia votes in tense presidential election with one candidate in jail

After the Arab uprisings, Tunisia stood out as the only country in the region to consolidate its democratic gains, largely thanks to its political leaders' bipartisan efforts. Unlike other nations that fell into renewed dictatorship or civil war, the role of the leaders of the political divide were crucial in forming a bi-partisan house to create the new Tunisia. They established a legitimate government with Kais Saied being the only head of state elected through free and fair elections in the region.

Democracy

In January 2011, an interim government was established to initiate political reforms in Tunisia, leading to the recognition of new political parties and the banning of Ben Ali’s party. This set the stage for further protests demanding additional reforms. Ultimately, on October 23, the moderate Islamist party Ennahda won the election and formed a coalition government with two secular parties.

However, despite these advances, Tunisia's democracy has faced significant deterioration. In July 2021, the incumbent president dissolved parliament, dismissed the prime minister, and assumed total control of the government.

(African Elections)

Electoral Process

Three candidates will compete in today’s election, a significant reduction from the 24 who contested in 2019. The winner will serve a five-year term. An estimated 9,753,207 voters are expected to cast their ballots across 10,138 polling stations, marking the first election under the newly adopted constitution.

Candidates

Tunisia's electoral commission has approved only three candidates for Sunday’s presidential election, disregarding a court ruling to reinstate three others.

(African Elections)

Kais Saied

Incumbent leader Kais Saied initially emerged as an outsider in the 2019 election, winning in the second round and showcasing Tunisia’s democratic maturity by facilitating an uninterrupted transition of power from the Nidaa Tounes party.

Following the 2014 constitutional reforms, Saied became head of state, with the parliament responsible for electing the prime minister. However, frustrated by this power structure, Saied declared a state of emergency on July 25, 2021 and suspended Parliament, dismissed the Prime Minister Hichem Mechichi, and began ruling by decree in violation of the Constitution.

In October 2021, Saied appointed Prime Minister Najla Bouden, who operates without parliamentary approval. He has since made changes to several institutions, including the electoral and judicial systems, reflecting his desire for absolute control.

Ayachi Zammel

Part of the initially approved candidates, Ayachi Zammel, was reportedly arrested on Monday. His campaign team claimed the accusations of falsifying voter endorsements against him are "absurd."

According to his lawyer, Zammel is currently imprisoned on four charges related to these endorsements, with a 12-year sentence. Despite his arrest, his legal representative indicated that Zammel remains a candidate in the upcoming elections. Zammel's campaign aims to undo the democratic backsliding led by Saied and return the North African country to democracy.

Zouhair Maghzaoui

Zouhair Maghzaoui, a former trade unionist in the Secondary Education Federation and active member of the Kebili education body, is also running in the presidential elections scheduled for October 6. He currently serves as the Secretary-General of the People’s Movement, a position he took on after the assassination of Mohamed Brahmi. Previously, he was a member of the Democratic Bloc in the House of People’s Representatives.

Zouhair has vowed to open up Tunisia to rest of the word especially Africa and the Arab world. He has also hinted that he will review the existing international relations agreements governing Tunisia and relations with countries like Italy and France concerning immigration and green hydrogen production respectively.

Key issues

Majority of voters are likely to boycott the presidential elections just like they did in December, 2022 when only 11 percent of voters showed up to vote for the new legislature after Saied dissolved the previous one.

Voters are preoccupied with rising unemployment, inflation, and the erosion of democratic gains. Voter turnout is expected to be insufficient to provide Saied with a strong mandate and credibility for his inevitable second term.