Tunisia’s top court ordered the electoral commission on Saturday to reinstate two candidates for the upcoming October presidential election, warning that failure to comply could undermine the election’s legitimacy.
This ruling by the Administrative Court comes amid increasing political unrest in Tunisia, with opposition and civil society groups expressing concerns about potential election manipulation, potentially leading to President Kais Saied securing a second term.
On Friday, thousands of Tunisians took to the streets in the largest protest in two years, voicing discontent over restrictions on freedoms and an undemocratic electoral environment. Protesters chanted anti-Saied slogans, calling for his removal.
Tensions escalated earlier this month when the electoral commission rejected the court’s ruling to reinstate candidates Abdellaif Mekki, Mondher Znaidi, and Imed Daimi, citing irregularities in their candidacy paperwork ahead of the October 6 election.
Political parties and civil society groups have accused the electoral commission, whose members were appointed by the president, of being used as a tool against his rivals.
Farouk Bouasker, the commission’s head, rejected the claims, stating that “the commission is the only constitutional body entrusted with the integrity of the election”. However, the court ruled on Saturday that the commission must comply with its decision and, if needed, adjust the electoral calendar, though it remains unclear if this means postponing the election or extending the campaign period.
The court warned that failing to reinstate the candidates would create “an illegal situation that conflicts with the electoral law and the transparency of the electoral process.”
It requested that Znaidi and Mekki be included in the presidential race after they submitted a new complaint against the commission’s decision.
Daimi, the third candidate, has yet to file a second appeal. Saied, who was democratically elected in 2019, consolidated his power in 2021 by ruling by decree, a move the opposition has labeled a coup.
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