Tunisian Election Integrity Under Fire Amid Disqualification Dispute

Tunisian legal scholars caution that the upcoming presidential election's legitimacy is threatened if the electoral commission fails to honor court rulings reinstating three disqualified candidates. Amid allegations of undermining democracy, the administrative court reinstated three contenders, but the commission only approved President Saied and two others, igniting criticism.

Tunisian legal scholars on Thursday warned that the legitimacy of next month's presidential election is at risk if the electoral commission does not respect recent court decisions reinstating three disqualified candidates.

The warning followed a statement by numerous academics, pointing to concerns that President Kais Saied is unraveling the democratic framework established post-Arab Spring. Last week, the administrative court, which manages electoral disputes, restored the candidacies of Mondher Znaidi, Abdellatif Mekki, and Imed Daimi for the October 6 election after their disqualification by the commission.

This week, the commission defied the court's ruling, approving only the candidacies of Saied, Zouhair Magzhaoui, and Ayachi Zammel, sparking widespread condemnation. Znaidi, Daimi, and Mekki plan to continue their legal battle, alleging the commission's actions are fraudulent and designed to secure Saied's second term. Meanwhile, about 90 law professors urged the commission to comply with the court's decision to maintain the election's credibility and safeguard the rule of law. The prosecutor ordered Zammel's detention on allegations of falsifying endorsements, which he denies, claiming intimidation. Saied, elected democratically in 2019, has consolidated power since 2021, which the opposition terms a coup. He announced last year his intent to prevent the country from falling into 'non-patriotic' hands.

(With inputs from agencies.)