Electoral Controversy in Tunisia: Arrests and Rejections Stir Political Crisis

Tunisia's electoral commission has rejected a court ruling reinstating three presidential candidates, as police arrested another candidate. Opposition critics accuse President Kais Saied of stifling competition, leading to deteriorating credibility of the upcoming election and deepening a political crisis. The commission insists it remains neutral and constitutionally empowered.

In a move that has stirred significant controversy, Tunisia's electoral commission on Monday rejected a court ruling that reinstated three presidential candidates. Concurrently, police arrested another candidate, an action that opposition critics claim exemplifies President Kais Saied's efforts to stifle political competition. The commission's decision leaves only Saied and two other candidates, Zouhair Magzhaoui and Ayachi Zammel, in the race for the October 6 presidential election.

'The commission is the only body constitutionally entrusted with the integrity of election,' stated Farouk Bouasker, head of the electoral commission. However, the arrest of Zammel by police, as reported by his campaign team, appears aimed at distracting him from his campaign efforts. This development raises concerns about the credibility of the upcoming vote and could escalate the political crisis that has been brewing since 2021, when Saied began ruling by decree, a move condemned by the opposition as a coup.

The Administrative Court, which adjudicates electoral disputes, had previously reinstated three candidates—Mondher Znaidi, AbdelLatif Mekki, and Imed Daimi—after their candidacies were rejected by the electoral commission. Protests erupted outside the commission's headquarters, with activists demanding its resignation and accusing it of disregarding judicial decisions and favoring Saied. Hichem Ajbouni, one of the protesters, described the situation as 'a complete coup against the will of the voters' and criticized the commission for not respecting the Administrative Court's ruling.

(With inputs from agencies.)