Tunisia’s Electoral Turmoil: Saied's Consolidation Challenged Amid Arrests

Tunisia's electoral body approved just two challengers to President Kais Saied for next month's election, leading to one candidate's immediate arrest over alleged signature falsifications. Observers view this as a sign of democratic backsliding, while protests erupted over the exclusion of prominent critics. Saied's authoritarian moves have raised alarms internationally.

Tunisia's electoral authority on Monday confirmed just two challengers to President Kais Saied in the upcoming election, triggering immediate controversy as one candidate was arrested over alleged signature falsifications.

Businessman Ayachi Zammel was detained in connection with an investigation into claims of voter signature fraud, as announced by his lawyer Saber Laabidi.

Concerns over democratic regression in Tunisia have intensified, with opposition groups staging protests and international observers expressing alarm at the consolidation of Saied's power and the exclusion of prominent critics from the presidential race.

(With inputs from agencies.)