Tunisia electoral commission has rejected a court ruling to reinstate three presidential candidates. On Monday, the commission confirmed only three candidates for the October 6 election, President Kais Saied, Zouhair Magzhaoui, and Ayachi Zammel. This decision defied the highest judicial body’s ruling.
Farouk Bouasker, the head of the Tunisia electoral commission, stated that the commission alone ensures election integrity. Meanwhile, police arrested candidate Ayachi Zammel. His campaign team believes this arrest aims to disrupt his efforts.
These actions have raised concerns about President Saied stifling competition. Critics say this deepens Tunisia ongoing political crisis, which began in 2021 when Saied took control by decree. Opposition parties and human rights groups accuse the authorities of using intimidation and arbitrary restrictions.
The Tunisia court had reinstated three candidates—Mondher Znaidi, AbdelLatif Mekki, and Imed Daimi—after the commission disqualified them. Opposition groups claim the electoral commission is no longer independent. They believe its main goal is to secure Saied’s re-election. The commission also denies these accusations and insists it remains neutral. Saied, elected in 2019, has stated he will not hand the country over to “non-patriots.”
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