Tunis, Sep 15 (IANS) The election campaign for the upcoming presidential election on October 6 has officially begun on Tunisian soil. The campaign had already begun abroad two days ago.
According to Tunisia’s Independent High Electoral Authority (ISIE), the campaign, which began on Saturday, will continue until midnight on October 4, news agency Xinhua reported.
According to Tunisia’s Independent High Electoral Authority (ISIE), the campaign, which began on Saturday, will continue until midnight on October 4, news agency Xinhua reported.
On September 2, ISIE announced a final list of three candidates. It includes incumbent President Kais Saied, who is running for a second five-year term, and two other candidates – Zouhair Magzaoui, the secretary-general of the People’s Movement Party, and Ayachi Jammel, the secretary-general of the Azimoun Movement – who are still in detention over electoral irregularities.
The second round of presidential election campaign will begin the day after the publication of the final results of the first round. The final results of the presidential election will be announced by November 9.
ISIE has already published a model ballot, and has established rules for transparency and neutrality during the campaign, as well as specific prohibitions to ensure a fair trial, including a ban on publishing political surveys until the official announcement of the results.
Tunisia’s Central Bank has issued a circular regarding candidates’ electoral accounts, specifying methods of financing and prohibiting any contributions from foreign entities or individuals.
Despite the start of the election campaign, there appears to be a sense of apathy in the country and concern about a possible reaction or sabotage attempts from the opposition.
Earlier on Friday, hundreds of people, including activists and members of civil society, demonstrated in Tunis to defend rights and freedoms.
The protesters were also demanding the repeal of orders considered repressive such as Section 54, which governs offences in the media.
In recent days, Tunisian authorities have arrested dozens of activists, including members of the Islamist movement Ennahda, fueling further political tensions in the country.
Tunisia holds presidential elections every five years, Saied was elected president in 2019.
–IANS
MK/KR