TUNISIANS went to the polls this weekend, in a poll which has been marred by controversy and allegations of being a sham due to the deliberate detention of a main opposition candidate and journalists ahead of the vote.
According to Reuters, President Kais Saied is seeking a second term in an election where his main rival, Ayachi Zammel, was suddenly jailed last month. Most other opponents have either been imprisoned or barred from running, severely limiting the field of candidates and raising concerns about the legitimacy of the electoral process.
The election pits Saied against two remaining rivals: Zouhair Maghzaoui, a former ally turned critic and leader of the Chaab Party, and the aforementioned Ayachi Zammel, who had been seen as a significant threat to Saied before his imprisonment.
Reuters reports that Tunisia once hailed as the only relative success story of the 2011 “Arab Spring” uprisings for its competitive democracy, has seen a dramatic reversal of its democratic gains under Saied’s leadership since 2019. Rights groups argue that Saied has dismantled many of the institutional and legal checks on his power.
The report highlights the broader context of political repression, with senior figures from major opposition parties imprisoned on various charges over the past year. These parties have not publicly backed any of the three candidates on the ballot.
The election has been further compromised by the disqualification of three prominent candidates last month by an electoral commission named by Saied. This move sparked protests from opposition and civil society groups. Adding to the concerns, lawmakers loyal to Saied recently approved a law stripping the administrative court of authority over election disputes, effectively removing what was widely seen as the country’s last independent judicial body.
Despite these issues, Saied still commands support among some segments of the population. The Reuters report quotes a fruit seller expressing support for Saied’s anti-corruption stance, while also noting the disillusionment of others with the political process.
The election takes place against a backdrop of economic challenges, including shortages of subsidized goods and frequent power and water outages, despite some improvements in tourism revenues and financial assistance from European countries concerned about migration.
As of 1 pm on election day, the Election Commission reported a turnout of 14%, with polls set to close at 6 pm local time. Results are expected within the next two days.
