Tunisian Election Turmoil: Candidate Arrest Sparks Outcry

Tunisian police arrested presidential candidate Ayachi Zammel, raising concerns among rights groups about rivals being excluded from the elections. The electoral commission faces scrutiny as it prepares to announce the final list of candidates. Protests are planned to demand adherence to judicial decisions reinstating certain candidates.

Tunisian police arrested presidential candidate Ayachi Zammel on Monday amid rising concerns from rights groups that main challengers to President Kais Saied might be barred from the election.

Mahdi Abdel Jawad, a campaign team member, revealed that Zammel was arrested around 3 a.m. on allegations of falsifying endorsements.

Last week, the Administrative Court restored three candidates to the race, a move under review by the electoral commission, sparking fears of potential exclusions and bias.

(With inputs from agencies.)