The recent actions by the government of Tunisia to alter the electoral processes for the upcoming presidential election raise serious concerns about election integrity.

Development Diaries reports that the Tunisian authorities have prosecuted, convicted, or imprisoned at least eight prospective candidates for the October 2024 presidential election, according to Human Rights Watch (HRW).

It is understood that the electoral commission has approved only three candidates, including incumbent President Kais Saied.

Findings by HRW also show that Tunisia is gearing up for a presidential election amid increased repression of dissent and free speech, without crucial checks and balances on President Saied’s power.

Also, from the beginning of the election campaign on 14 July, at least eight potential candidates have been found guilty and sentenced to prison terms or lifelong bans from running for office, while others have been the target of harassment and intimidation.

The exclusion of these candidates, coupled with the approval of only three contenders, one of whom is the incumbent President Saied, suggests a deliberate effort to stifle political competition and consolidate power.

Such measures undermine the principles of democracy and erode public trust in the electoral process.

Free and fair elections are a cornerstone of democratic governance, providing citizens with the opportunity to choose their leaders in an open and competitive environment.

By restricting the participation of opposition candidates through legal and extralegal means, the Tunisian government risks disenfranchising voters and limiting their political choices.

This violates the basic rights of the candidates and also the fundamental rights of Tunisian citizens to participate in the governance of their country.

Development Diaries calls on the Tunisian government to ensure that the upcoming presidential election is conducted in a manner that is transparent, inclusive, and free from undue influence.

Allowing all eligible candidates to participate without fear of persecution is essential to upholding the democratic values that Tunisia has sought to embody since the Arab Spring.

Failing to do so could lead to further political instability and diminish Tunisia’s standing as a model of democratic transition in the region.

Source: HRW

Photo source: HRW