A Tunisian court sentenced presidential candidate Ayachi Zammel to 20 months in prison on Wednesday, according to his lawyer, adding to opposition concerns about a rigged election aimed at securing President Kais Saied’s hold on power.
Zammel, leader of the opposition Azimoun party, was arrested two weeks ago on charges of forging voter signatures on his candidacy documents—allegations he claims were fabricated by Saied.
Political tensions in Tunisia have intensified ahead of the October 6 election, especially after the electoral commission, appointed by Saied, disqualified three prominent candidates earlier this month, sparking protests from opposition and civil society groups.
The commission approved only three candidates: the incumbent president, Zammel, and Zouhair Magzhaoui, who is considered close to Saied, despite Tunisia’s highest judicial body for election disputes, the administrative court, opposing the decision.
“The verdict is politically driven, unjust, and intended to damage his prospects in the presidential race,” Zammel’s lawyer, Abdessattar Massoudi, told Reuters.
Rights groups, political parties, and constitutional law scholars condemned the commission’s decision to ignore the court’s ruling, calling it an unprecedented move that casts doubt on the election’s legitimacy and legality.
Saied, who was elected in 2019, has since consolidated power, ruling by decree from 2021, a move the opposition has labeled a coup.
Opponents have accused Saied of manipulating the electoral commission to ensure his victory by suppressing competition and intimidating other candidates.
Saied has denied these allegations, claiming he is battling traitors, mercenaries, and corrupt individuals, and maintaining that he will not become a dictator.
Abir Moussi, leader of the Free Constitutional Party, has been imprisoned since last year on charges of threatening public security, while another prominent politician, Lotfi Mraihi, was jailed this year for alleged vote-buying in the 2019 election.
Both had intended to run in the October election but were imprisoned before they could submit their candidacies.
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