Tunisia's upcoming presidential election faces controversy as one of the two approved challengers to incumbent President Kais Saied has been arrested.
According to BBC, Ayachi Zammel was detained on Monday for allegedly falsifying details of his supporters. This development has intensified accusations that President Saied is attempting to limit opposition in the October 6 election.
The arrest of Zammel comes amid growing concerns about the state of democracy in Tunisia. Since winning his first term in 2019, President Saied has taken steps to consolidate power, including suspending parliament and implementing a new constitution that grants him expanded authority. These actions have raised questions about the country's political trajectory following the Arab Spring of 2011.
Tunisia's electoral commission has approved only three candidates to run in the upcoming presidential election, disregarding a court ruling to reinstate three others. This decision has further fueled doubts about the credibility of the electoral process and the commission's independence.
Farouk Bouasker, head of the electoral commission, had previously stated that he would consider the court's ruling before finalizing the candidate list. However, the commission's apparent dismissal of the court order has sparked criticism from campaign groups and political observers.
The limited number of approved candidates has led to accusations that President Saied is attempting to restrict competition in the election. This situation has raised concerns about the fairness and transparency of the electoral process.
Human Rights Concerns Surrounding Candidate Selection Rights Watch, a New York-based rights group, reported in August that Tunisian authorities have excluded eight prospective candidates from the presidential race through prosecution and imprisonment. This information has added to the growing unease about the state of political freedoms in the country.
Mahdi Abdel Jawad, a member of Zammel's campaign team, described the candidate's arrest as "absurd" when speaking to Reuters. The detention of a presidential candidate so close to the election date has intensified scrutiny of the government's actions and motivations.
In 2021, President Saied took significant steps to reshape Tunisia's political landscape. After dismissing the prime minister and suspending parliament, he pushed through a new constitution that critics argue cements his one-man rule.
This new constitution replaced the one drafted shortly after the 2011 Arab Spring, which had seen Tunisia overthrow long-time dictator Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali. The revised document grants the head of state full executive control and supreme command of the army, marking a significant shift in the balance of power.
President Saied justified his expanded authority, claiming tackling Tunisia's persistent problems was essential. He asserted that the additional powers were crucial for overcoming political gridlock and reversing economic decline.
Saied emphasized that these modifications were imperative to propel the nation forward and confront ongoing challenges. By framing his actions as a necessary intervention, the President sought to legitimize his controversial decision to consolidate power.
Tunisia's presidential election is mired in controversy due to the arrest of a challenger and the limited number of approved candidates. The electoral commission's decision to disregard a court ruling has further complicated the situation. President Saied's consolidation of power since 2019, including constitutional changes, has raised concerns about the state of democracy in Tunisia. The upcoming election is seen as a crucial test for the country's political future and its commitment to the ideals of the Arab Spring.
