President Kais Saied is believed to have won Tunisia’s presidential election with 89.2 percent of the votes, according to exit polls. The election saw a low voter turnout of 28 percent, suggesting widespread disillusionment. Saied’s governance has been marked by the imprisonment of opposition leaders, and significant concerns have been raised regarding the erosion of democratic principles since he came to power. The ISIE will confirm official results in the coming days, while economic struggles persist across the nation.
Tunisian President Kais Saied is poised to secure re-election following the presidential election, receiving a significant 89.2 percent of the votes, as indicated by an exit poll broadcast on state television. This election, which took place on a recent Sunday, saw a disappointingly low voter turnout of only 28 percent. While the Independent High Authority for Elections of Tunisia (ISIE) is scheduled to announce the official results later, these preliminary figures suggest a solidification of Saied’s authority, which has been controversial since he assumed control three years prior amidst significant political turmoil. In this election cycle, President Saied, who is 66 years old, faced two challengers: his former ally-turned-adversary Zouhair Maghzaoui, leader of the Chaab Party, and businessman Ayachi Zammel, who had previously been perceived as a formidable opponent until his imprisonment last month. The exit poll estimates that Maghzaoui garnered 3.9 percent of the votes while Zammel received 6.9 percent. The electoral commission reported a voter turnout of 27.7 percent, which fell short of their expectations for approximately 30 percent participation. In the backdrop of this election, major political figures from various opposition parties have been incarcerated on multiple charges, leading to a diminished public support for the candidates. Notably, Rached Ghannouchi, the head of the prominent Ennahda opposition party, remains imprisoned, highlighting the erosion of democratic principles in Tunisia since Saied took office in 2019. Critics argue that President Saied has systematically dismantled democratic achievements that emerged from the 2011 revolution, with significant caution expressed over the political environment leading up to the elections, including the disqualification of three candidates by an electoral body appointed by Saied. Concurrently, Tunisia endures economic challenges marked by stagnation, soaring inflation, and escalating unemployment, all of which have sparked widespread protests. In a further consolidation of power, Saied’s loyal lawmakers recently altered the judicial landscape, stripping the administrative court of its authority to adjudicate electoral disputes. This move diminishes the independence of the judiciary, as the court represented one of the last bastions of autonomy following Saied’s earlier dissolution of the Supreme Judicial Council and the dismissal of several judges in 2022. Reflecting on the overall political climate, it is evident that Saied is not only navigating a complex electoral landscape but is also attempting to stifle dissent while justifying his governance as necessary to combat widespread corruption and protect national interests. The 2022 revision of Tunisia’s constitution, which passed amid a lackluster voter turnout, along with the subsequent parliamentary elections held a year later that also exhibited a dismal 11 percent participation rate, underscores the declining engagement of the electorate under Saied’s administration. As the announcement of official election results approaches, many observers remain skeptical about the future direction of Tunisia’s political landscape and the implications of Saied’s ongoing rule.
The background of this article centers on Tunisia’s political landscape, significantly altered since the 2011 Arab Spring that led to the ousting of longstanding president Zine El Abidine Ben Ali. After a decade of democratic development, which included the establishment of a multiparty system and various electoral processes, President Kais Saied consolidated power in 2021 by dissolving the elected parliament and rewriting the constitution. His recent electoral campaign is viewed within a broader context marked by political repression against dissenting voices, particularly notable figures from opposition parties who have been imprisoned since his rise to power. This environment has been compounded by prevalent economic challenges, including high inflation and unemployment rates, leading to a sense of disillusionment among voters. As Saied embarks on what appears to be a significant electoral victory, the implications for Tunisia’s democracy and governance remain unsettled, prompting critical assessments of his presidency and the future of participatory politics in the country.
In conclusion, the current political scenario in Tunisia is a testament to the complexities surrounding President Kais Saied’s administration, characterized by significant electoral victories overshadowed by low voter engagement and widespread allegations of democratic backsliding. With an impending announcement of official election results likely to affirm Saied’s hold on power, questions regarding the resilience of Tunisia’s democratic institutions and the socio-economic challenges facing its citizens come to the fore. As political tensions escalate and opposition figures remain silenced, the implications of Saied’s governance will be pivotal in shaping the future trajectory of Tunisia’s political landscape.
Original Source: www.aljazeera.com
