Kais Saied Set to Win Tunisia Presidential Election Amid Political Turmoil

Tunisian President Kais Saied is on the verge of re-election with an estimated 89.2 percent of the votes, based on exit polls, amidst a backdrop of political tension and low voter turnout of 27.7 percent. Saied’s rule has come under scrutiny for perceived democratic backsliding following significant power consolidation since 2019, facing opposition from jailed political figures and civil discontent due to economic strife.

Tunisian President Kais Saied appears poised to secure re-election, garnering a projected 89.2 percent of the votes according to an exit poll released by state television. This outcome is indicative of his solidified authority following a controversial power consolidation three years prior. The Independent High Authority for Elections of Tunisia (ISIE) has stated that official results will be disclosed on Monday evening, following Sunday’s electoral exercise in which voter turnout was reported at a modest 27.7 percent. President Saied, aged 66, faced two opponents: Zouhair Maghzaoui, leader of the Chaab Party and a former ally, who obtained 3.9 percent, and Ayachi Zammel, a businessman who previously represented a significant challenge but was incarcerated last month, leading him to receive 6.9 percent of the vote. The political climate surrounding the election has been fraught, with many prominent figures from opposing political factions having been imprisoned on various allegations. Most notably, Rached Ghannouchi, the leader of the now-opposition Ennahda party, has been jailed, significantly impacting the electoral landscape. Rights organizations have criticized President Saied’s administration for reversing the democratic advancements achieved after the 2011 Arab Spring protests, which had led to the ousting of the former president, Zine El Abidine Ben Ali. Despite accusations of undermining democracy, President Saied has defended his measures as necessary actions against corrupt elites. However, tensions escalated leading up to the election, particularly after the electoral board appointed by the president disqualified three candidates, which drew protests from various opposition and civil society groups. The nation is also grappling with critical economic challenges, characterized by low growth, rampant inflation, and rising unemployment – conditions that have incited protests among the populace. Recently, lawmakers aligned with Saied’s administration have curtailed the administrative court’s jurisdiction over electoral disputes, further diminishing the independence of judicial oversight. This comes in the wake of Saied’s previous dissolution of parliament and the rewriting of the constitution, actions which many have termed a coup. The rewritten constitution was subject to a referendum that achieved only a 30 percent voter turnout, while the subsequent parliamentary elections yielded a mere 11 percent voter participation.

Kais Saied’s presidency began in 2019 and has since marked a significant deviation from Tunisia’s previously established democratic framework, following the Arab Spring. His government has faced extensive criticism for consolidating power at the expense of judicial and electoral autonomy. The current election reflects a broader struggle within Tunisia’s political system, characterized by ongoing unrest, diminishing civil liberties, and economic hardship, all of which have compelled many Tunisians to question the efficacy and legitimacy of the electoral process.

In summary, Kais Saied is on track to win another presidential term amid accusations of undermining democracy and silencing dissenting voices. The low voter turnout underscores growing public disillusionment with the political process, while the broader socio-economic challenges continue to burden the Tunisian populace. As official results await their announcement, the implications of this election will resonate deeply within Tunisia’s fraught political landscape.

Original Source: www.aljazeera.com