Tunisia's Controversial Presidential Candidate Selections Spark Outrage

Tunisia's electoral commission has preliminarily accepted only three presidential candidates, including incumbent Kais Saied, for the upcoming October election. The opposition accuses the authorities of excluding serious contenders through arbitrary restrictions, intimidation, and lack of required criminal record details. Prominent rejected candidates claim a return to dictatorial practices.

In a bold move, Tunisia's electoral commission announced it has preliminarily approved only three presidential candidates, including current leader Kais Saied, for the forthcoming October 6 election. This decision has stirred widespread controversy, with the opposition alleging deliberate exclusion of serious contenders.

The commission accepted Kais Saied, his close associate Zouhair Magzhaoui, and Ayachi Zammel of the Azimoun party, while rejecting 14 others. Prominent politicians have accused the authorities of withholding necessary criminal record details, a new requirement for candidacy.

Opposition parties and human rights groups are decrying these actions as arbitrary restrictions designed to ensure Saied's re-election. A court has already sentenced four potential candidates to prison terms, barring them from running. Saied, who seized power in 2021, remains a polarizing figure, accused of veering towards authoritarianism.

(With inputs from agencies.)