Hundreds of Tunisians marched in Tunis on Friday, intensifying protests against President Kais Saied just days before a controversial presidential election. Protesters, holding banners that read “Farce elections” and “Freedoms, not a lifelong presidency,” rallied on Habib Bourguiba Avenue, the symbolic site of the 2011 revolution that ousted former President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali.
Tensions have risen after an electoral commission, appointed by Saied, disqualified three prominent candidates while an independent court has been stripped of the power to rule on election disputes.
Opposition anger escalated following the sentencing of presidential candidate Ayachi Zammel to 14 years in prison on charges of forging electoral documents.
Facing only two opponents, Zammel and former ally-turned-critic Zouhair Maghzaoui, President Saied has sparked intense backlash. Protesters in the streets chanted against him, calling for the fall of his regime. “Tunisians are not used to such an election.
In 2011, 2014, and 2019, they could freely express their opinions, but this election denies them the right to decide their future,” said opposition figure Zied Ghanney.
Demonstrations have escalated, reflecting growing frustration with what many see as an unfair and undemocratic electoral process.
YOU MAY ALSO READ: ICC unseals arrest warrants for six Libyan Militia members accused of war crimes
Got a Question?
Find us on Socials or Contact us and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.