By: Chioma Madonna Ndukwu
As Tunisia approaches its presidential election on October 6, large crowds protested against President Kais Saied, voicing concerns about his alleged efforts to stifle opposition. Demonstrators, including young citizens like 27-year-old Siwar Gmati, expressed their reluctance to vote due to a perceived lack of viable candidates and inadequate electoral guarantees.
Gmati stated, “There is no one in the candidates that I can vote for,” highlighting widespread skepticism regarding the fairness of the election process. Since Saied assumed power in 2019, he has suspended parliament and enacted a new constitution that consolidates his authority.
Human Rights Watch noted that many potential candidates have been excluded from the election through legal actions, further fueling discontent among the populace. Protester Mustapha Ben Ali articulated the sentiment against Saied’s governance, declaring, “The president… does not want these elections to be fair now that his term has ended.”
Source: Africanews
