Kais Saied Poised for Landslide Election Victory Amid Concerns of Authoritarianism
Kais Saied is expected to win Tunisia’s presidential election with 89.2% of the vote amid low turnout of 27.7%. This follows a power grab in 2021, with rights groups concerned that his re-election will deepen authoritarianism and undermine democracy, which emerged from the 2011 Arab Spring. Many candidates were barred from running, casting doubt on electoral legitimacy and raising fears of fraud among the populace.
Incumbent Tunisian President Kais Saied is anticipated to secure a decisive victory in the presidential election, with exit polls indicating he garnered 89.2 percent of the votes, despite voter turnout being notably low. The election saw significant detractions, as rights organizations voiced concerns that Saied’s re-election would exacerbate his authoritarian grip on power following a comprehensive power consolidation conducted in 2021, which drew international criticism. The independent polling group Sigma Conseil projected that Saied’s main opponents, imprisoned candidates Ayachi Zammel and Zouhair Maghzaoui, received only 6.9 percent and 3.9 percent of the votes respectively. Turnout for the election was approximately 27.7 percent, a drastic decline from 45 percent in 2019, marking the lowest participation in a presidential election since the 2011 revolution that fostered hopes for democratic governance. Saied has consistently attempted to delegitimize the election process, as seen in his comments lamenting foreign interference and vowing to combat corruption. This claim was echoed by commentators who noted that numerous candidates were systematically excluded from the race, raising doubts about the legitimacy of the electoral process. Concerns were further amplified by the barring of independent watchdogs from overseeing the election, leading citizens to express fears of fraud. For example, one citizen articulated a desire for autonomy over their voting choice, stating, “I don’t want people to choose for me. I want to check the box for my candidate myself.” As results emerged, celebrations ensued among Saied’s supporters, while critics labeled him a “Pharaoh manipulating the law”, fearing that his continued rule would deepen Tunisia’s existing socioeconomic issues and entrench his dictatorial policies. Rights organizations reported that over 170 individuals remain imprisoned for political dissent, positing that Saied’s administration sought to suppress any opposition to his governance.
The political climate in Tunisia has become increasingly tense following the rise of President Kais Saied, who came to power in 2019. His administration has faced significant scrutiny over its authoritarian practices, particularly following his power grab in July 2021, which allowed him to dissolve parliament and rewrite the constitution. Tunisia had previously been celebrated as the only success story for democracy in the Arab Spring; however, this recent trajectory has raised alarms about the regression of civil rights and political freedoms in the country. Civil society groups have reported extensive human rights abuses, and the political landscape has been marred by the systematic exclusion of potential challengers in the electoral process. The upcoming presidential election serves as a critical juncture for Tunisia’s democratic aspirations, raising essential questions about legitimacy and public trust in governance.
In summary, President Kais Saied is poised for a landslide victory in the presidential election, raised significant concerns regarding the credibility of the electoral process due to low turnout and the systematic exclusion of opposition candidates. Rights groups fear that his re-election will further consolidate his authoritarian rule, posing risks to the democratic ideals that emerged from the 2011 revolution. As Tunisian citizens express their concerns over the potential for electoral fraud and deepening socioeconomic challenges, the implications of this election extend far beyond the immediate political landscape.
Original Source: www.france24.com
