Politics Observers: Election in Tunisia will be neither fair nor free

One day before the presidential election in Tunisia, observers are already seeing dozens of violations of the principles of fair and free elections. The Middle East Democracy Center (MEDC) has so far counted 60 such violations against the opposition, including 32 cases of "judicial harassment" and the disqualification of candidates. There have also been 47 violations of press freedom and the right to freedom of expression, including cases of suppression of political views and the work of journalists. The US-based organization MEDC is primarily active in the areas of democracy and human rights in the Middle East and North Africa.

In addition to the incumbent Kais Saied, only two other candidates are registered for the election on Sunday. One of them is currently in prison. In the 2019 election, which Saied won, 25 candidates were still eligible. Saied has gradually expanded his power since 2021. While critics accuse him of having an authoritarian style of government, Saied has declared that he is acting within the framework of the law.

A gradual transition to democracy began in Tunisia after the mass protests of 2011. Saied's first five years in office were the "death knell" for this process, writes the Crisis Group think tank. The new campaign of repression, which began several months ago, is now directed not only against Saied's critics, but also against migrants, migrant protection organizations, journalists and lawyers.

SDA