Tunisia's President Kais Saied Reelected Amid Opposition Outcry

Kais Saied Coasts to Victory in Tunisia's Disputed Presidential Election

“We will build and will cleanse the country of the corrupt, traitors and conspirators...”

Tunisia's Presidential Election: Kais Saied Leads Amid Controversy - Read the latest on Tunisia's presidential election, marked by opposition boycotts, jailed candidates, and concerns over democratic backsliding.

Tunisian President Kais Saied appears to be heading for a landslide victory in the country's presidential election, with exit polls showing him winning over 89% of the vote. His supporters took to the streets of Tunis, the capital, on Sunday night to celebrate after state television announced the exit poll results. Saied faced off against two opponents: Zouhair Maghzaoui, a former ally who now leads the Chaab Party, and Ayachi Zammel, who has been imprisoned since last month.

The election commission reported a voter turnout of 27.7%, significantly lower than the 49% seen in the first round of the 2019 presidential election. This low turnout has been attributed to the opposition's boycott of the election, with many critics viewing the process as undemocratic. Saied's campaign was marked by the arrest and imprisonment of several opponents, including journalists, activists, and lawyers.

Despite the controversy surrounding the election, Saied's supporters are optimistic about his victory, seeing it as a continuation of his efforts to reform the country. However, critics argue that Saied's actions have undermined Tunisia's democratic progress, made since the Arab Spring uprising in 2011. Official results are expected to be announced later today, Monday, October 7.

Election Key Points:

Voter Turnout: 27.7% 

Exit Poll Results: Saied winning over 89% of the vote 

Opposition: Boycotted the election, citing undemocratic processes

Controversy: Arrests and imprisonment of opponents, including journalists and activists.

According to Sigma polling agency's exit poll, President Kais Saied holds a commanding lead with 89.2% of the votes.

In his first comment, the President said, “this is a continuation of the revolution.

“We will build and will cleanse the country of the corrupt, traitors and conspirators.”

Zammel and Maghzaoui's campaigns have rejected the exit poll results, insisting that the actual election outcomes will tell a different story. In essence, they're expressing skepticism about the reliability of these exit polls, which isn't uncommon given the potential for errors or biases. Exit polls are surveys conducted among voters leaving polling stations, aiming to predict election outcomes. 

However, factors like sampling errors, non-response bias, and social desirability bias can impact their accuracy. This is why Zammel and Maghzaoui's campaigns are likely holding out for the official results, which will provide a clearer picture of the election's true outcome.

Thousands of enthusiastic supporters of Tunisian President Kais Saied gathered on Habib Bourguiba Avenue in Tunis, waving the national flag and proudly displaying his image. As they celebrated Saied's anticipated election victory, their chants of “The people want to build and develop” echoed through the streets, capturing the sentiment of hope and progress that defines this moment in Tunisia's history. 

This avenue, named after the country's founding father, has witnessed countless moments of national significance, and now, it's the backdrop for Saied's supporters as they rejoice in his apparent triumph. The energy is electric, with the crowd's fervor underscoring the president's enduring popularity despite controversy surrounding his presidency.

“We rejoice for a person because he served the state and not for his own benefit, he serves for the benefit of the people and the state,” a Tunisian man said as he was celebrating.

Tunisia, once hailed as the Arab Spring's sole success story, has taken a concerning turn under President Kais Saied's rule since 2019. Rights groups warn that Saied has systematically dismantled democratic gains, consolidating power and eroding institutional checks on his authority. His presidency has been marked by a series of contentious moves, including suspending parliament, assuming executive powers, and appointing loyalists to key positions.

Saied justifies his actions as necessary to combat corruption and traitors, but critics argue this is merely a facade for authoritarianism. The 66-year-old president has rebuffed accusations of dictatorial tendencies, but his record speaks otherwise. He has dissolved the Supreme Judicial Council, replaced governors, and manipulated independent institutions, effectively silencing dissenting voices.

The international community is sounding the alarm, with organizations like the Tunisian Association of Democratic Women and the Tunisian Forum for Economic and Social Rights expressing deep concern over Tunisia's democratic backsliding. As Saied's grip on power tightens, the country's hard-won democratic progress hangs in the balance. Will Tunisia find its way back to democratic stability, or will Saied's authoritarian ambitions prevail?

Tunisia's largest opposing parties have faced significant challenges in the run-up to the presidential election. Many prominent members have been jailed on various charges over the past year, effectively silencing their voices. To make matters worse, these parties have refused to endorse any of the three candidates who made it onto the ballot for the October 6 election.

The opposition's boycott is a testament to the contentious nature of this election. Several opponents, including potential candidates, have been barred from participating due to reasons such as lack of sponsorships or criminal charges. For instance, Ayachi Zammel, one of the candidates, was arrested and sentenced to 13 years and eight months in prison on accusations of false sponsorship. This move was widely seen as a tactic to eliminate his candidacy. Similarly, other candidates and campaign workers have faced arrest and imprisonment, casting a shadow over the legitimacy of the electoral process.

The restrictive candidacy requirements and electoral law changes have also raised concerns. The Independent High Authority for Elections introduced rules that exceeded the electoral law requirements, including raising the age limit for presidential candidates to 40 years old. These changes have been contested by multiple political parties, further exacerbating tensions in the already fraught political landscape.