Politics

Tunisian presidential hopefuls decry restrictions, intimidation

Published

1 month ago

August 3, 2024

Tunisian opposition parties, presidential candidates, and human rights groups have alleged that the authorities are employing “arbitrary restrictions” and intimidation tactics to secure the re-election of President Kais Saied in the next poll scheduled for October 6.

Saied declared on July 19 his intention to pursue a second five-year term. In 2019, Saied was elected and subsequently dissolved parliament in 2021. He then assumed power through the use of decrees, a move that the opposition labelled as a coup. He has explicitly stated that he would not relinquish control to individuals whom he refers to as “non-patriots”.

With the approaching deadline of August 6th for presidential candidate registration, 11 opposition personalities aiming to compete against Saied have released a collective statement this week, expressing their criticism towards the authorities.

“The violations have affected most of the serious candidates to the point that they appear to indicate a desire to exclude them (from the election) and restrict them to make way for a specific candidate,” they said in the joint statement.

As of now, none of the 11 opposition candidates have acquired a document verifying their lack of criminal background, which is a newly imposed requirement for their registration.

The Election Commission spokeswoman stated that the Interior Ministry will contact the candidates to furnish them with the required documentation.

However, no specific timeline was provided for when this communication will take place. The Commission refuted the allegations of prejudice.

Related Topics:Featured President Kais Saied Tunisia

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Politics

Tunisian court mandates electoral commission to reinstate presidential contenders

Published

6 hours ago

September 16, 2024

Ifeoluwa Dada

The highest court in Tunisia has issued an order requiring the electoral commission to re-enter two candidates for an October presidential election, cautioning that not doing so might compromise the election’s credibility.

The Administrative Court’s decision was made in rising political unrest in the nation of North Africa, where opposition parties and civil society organisations are concerned that a rigged election could give President Kais Saied a second term.

In the largest demonstration against constraints on liberties and the undemocratic electoral environment in Tunisia in two years, thousands of Tunisians came to the streets on Friday. Among the shouts screamed by the demonstrators was “Out with dictator Saied.”

Tensions increased after the electoral commission, citing purported flaws in their candidacy forms, rejected the court’s decision earlier this month to restore the candidatures of Abdellaif Mekki, Mondher Znaidi, and Imed Daimi ahead of the contest on October 6.

The president himself appointed the committee’s members, and major parties and civil society organisations claimed that this meant the president was using the inquiry as a weapon against his opponents.

Regarding the charges, commission president Farouk Bouasker has stated that “the commission is the only constitutional body entrusted with the integrity of the election” and refuted them. However, the commission must carry out its mandate and, if needed, revise the election schedule, the court ruled on Saturday. It’s unclear if this entails delaying the election or prolonging the campaign.

“Otherwise it would lead to an illegal situation that conflicts with the electoral law and the transparency of the electoral process”, it said.

Following their filing of a new complaint against the commission’s ruling, the court requested that Znaidi and Mekki be allowed to participate in the race. Daimi, the third contender, hasn’t yet submitted a second appeal.

After winning a democratic election in 2019, Saied strengthened his hold on power and started governing by decree in 2021—a move that the opposition has called a coup.

Politics

Under their new coalition, Mali, Burkina, Niger to launch biometric passports

Published

6 hours ago

September 16, 2024

Ifeoluwa Dada

As part of their departure from the West African bloc in favour of a new Sahel alliance, military authorities in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger will implement new biometric passports, the countries’ leaders announced on Sunday.

Together, the three Sahelian neighbours run by juntas declared in January that they would be exiting the 15-member Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), despite efforts by the organisation to convince them otherwise.

In July, the three West African nations signed a confederation treaty demonstrating their will to forge on together outside of the regional political and economic bloc that has been pressuring them to revert to democratic governance.

Earlier this month, Burkina Faso declared that it will no longer be issuing passports with the ECOWAS emblem.

“In the coming days, a new biometric passport of the AES (Alliance of Sahel States) will be put into circulation with the aim of harmonising travel documents in our common area and facilitating the mobility of our citizens throughout the world”, Malian junta leader Assimi Goita announced on Sunday evening.

On the eve of the decision to form their alliance, the foreign ministers of the three nations will meet on Monday. He made this statement beforehand.

In addition, Goita announced that they intended to open a common information channel “to foster a peaceful exchange of information among our three states.”

Meanwhile, ECOWAS had warned that the 400 million residents of the 49-year-old bloc would lose their freedom of movement and access to the common market if the three countries were to exit,

Their withdrawal coincides with their troops fighting militants associated with the Islamic State and al Qaeda, whose insurgencies have caused instability in the area for the previous ten years and pose a threat to those bordering West Africa.