Presidential candidates barred from poll

Tunisian authorities have prosecuted, convicted, or imprisoned at least eight prospective candidates for the 6 October presidential election, Human Rights Watch (HRW) has noted. The electoral commission has approved only three candidates, including incumbent President Kais Saied. Tunisian authorities should urgently end politically motivated prosecutions and allow for free and fair elections. HRW notes that Saied has compromised the judiciary's independence and overhauled a number of key institutions following a 2021 power grab, including the electoral commission, the Independent High Authority for Elections, which he restructured to place under the control of the President in 2022. ‘After jailing dozens of prominent opponents and activists, Tunisian authorities have removed almost all serious contenders from the presidential race, reducing this vote to a mere formality,’ said Bassam Khawaja, deputy Middle East and North Africa director at Human Rights Watch. ‘The government should immediately end its political interference in the electoral process, reverse repressive measures, and allow opposition candidates to take part in the ballot.’ At least eight prospective candidates have been convicted and sentenced to prison terms or lifetime bans on running for election since the start of the electoral period on 14 July, with others experiencing harassment and intimidation.