On Sunday, Tunisia conducted a presidential election, where incumbent Kais Saied is anticipated to secure another five-year term. The election is taking place in a politically charged atmosphere, with many of Saied’s main critics currently imprisoned, leading observers to view this vote as a significant turning point in Tunisia’s democratic journey.
Since Saied’s power grab three years ago, the election is seen as a culmination of Tunisia’s attempts to establish a stable democracy, a nation that once celebrated its role as the birthplace of the Arab Spring uprisings against authoritarian regimes.
The electoral board, ISIE, reported that around 9.7 million citizens were expected to participate in the election, with approximately 47 percent of voters aged between 36 and 60. Reports from polling stations indicated a notable turnout, particularly among older voters. For instance, Nouri Masmoudi, a 69-year-old, expressed his support for Saied, stating that his entire family would vote for him.
Another voter, Fadhila, aged 66, mentioned she cast her ballot “in response to those who called for a boycott.” The polling station director noted a good influx of voters, with about 200 participating in the first half hour.
However, concerns about electoral integrity were voiced by some participants. Farouk Bouasker, the head of ISIE, mentioned that voter attendance was considerable, reflecting a high level of engagement in the electoral process.