Tunisia: Complaints grow of climate of intimidation ahead of presidential election

Tunisian political parties, human rights groups and President Kais Saied’s rivals in the presidential election complained about restrictions, limitations and a climate of fear and intimidation in the presidential election, which they said showed they wanted to pave the way for Saied to win a new term. They see this as a threat to the credibility of the elections, while a Tunisian court sentenced him to prison terms ranging from two to four years. Four women have been deprived of their right to vote for years for collecting signatures in exchange for money. Rapper eager to participate in the presidential election.

Arbitrary harassment

In a joint statement, 11 potential candidates condemned the arbitrary harassment of many participants in the candidates’ campaigns.

No potential candidate has yet to obtain the criminal record card required by the Electoral Commission as a condition. The deadline to apply for candidacy is August 6. An Electoral Authority spokesman said the Ministry of Home Affairs will contact candidates to provide them with election cards.

Ayman Boghtas, a member of the election commission, said 18 potential candidates with pending cases have not yet received election cards due to failure to update their criminal records. He asked them to provide the materials needed to obtain the cards as soon as possible.

He added that some people focus their conversations on legitimate cards when the reality is they don’t meet other conditions, including providing the necessary references or financial guarantees.

Seventeen human rights groups criticized the authorities’ control over public media, the judiciary and the electoral commission.

Sentence

On the other hand, a Tunisian court sentenced four women to prison terms ranging from 2 to 4 years, depriving them of their right to vote, for collecting signatures in exchange for money for rapper and businessman Karim al-Gharbi. According to a judicial spokesman, “Kadorin” was eager to participate in the presidential election.

Alaeddine Al-Awadi, spokesman for the Yanduba Court, said yesterday Friday that the court “ruled on Wednesday to imprison three detained women for two years and another who fled for four years, and to deprive them of the right to vote for 10 years.” (Agency)