Kais Saied’s Projected Landslide Election Victory Amid Concerns of Authoritarianism
Tunisia’s President Kais Saied appears poised for re-election with 89.2 percent of the vote, despite a low voter turnout of 27.7 percent. His expected victory follows a significant power grab that has raised concerns about the future of democracy in Tunisia, once the face of the Arab Spring. Critics note that systemic exclusion of opposition candidates and a lack of independent oversight have tarnished the election’s legitimacy.
Tunisian President Kais Saied is projected to secure a decisive victory in the presidential election, with exit polls indicating he has garnered 89.2 percent of the vote, despite a notably low voter turnout. Saied, 66, is expected to win overwhelmingly against his opponents, including imprisoned rival Ayachi Zammel, who is forecasted to receive 6.9 percent, and Zouhair Maghzaoui, with 3.9 percent, according to independent polling entity Sigma Conseil. The concerns of human rights organizations regarding Saied’s re-election arise from his previous consolidation of power that would likely exacerbate his authoritarian governance in a nation that once epitomized democratic hopes in the wake of the Arab Spring uprisings. Following the ousting of long-serving dictator Zine El Abidine Ben Ali in 2011, Tunisia showcased its resilience and commitment to democratic values. However, the direction of the country shifted dramatically after Saied’s election in 2019. The country’s electoral board, ISIE, announced that approximately 9.7 million citizens were eligible to vote in a population of about 12 million, yet only 27.7 percent turned out to participate, marking the lowest participation in any presidential election since the 2011 revolution. A political analyst suggested, “The vote’s legitimacy is undoubtedly tainted with candidates who could have overshadowed (Saied) being systematically sidelined.” ISIE had previously barred 14 candidates from participating in the election, citing inadequate support, among other reasons. During his campaign, Saied expressed his commitment to combat “foreign interference” and promised to eradicate corruption within the country. He noted that the exit poll results were close to reality and await official announcement. Notably, the turnout figure signifies a decline from the 45 percent recorded in 2019, indicating a growing discontent among the population. Analysts suggest that public disinterest reflects a forfeiture of democratic engagement, reinforcing concerns about the validity of this electoral process. Many citizens, such as Hosni Abidi, expressed fears regarding electoral fraud, especially as independent observers were also prohibited from monitoring the election.
The political landscape in Tunisia has undergone significant changes since the 2011 revolution, which marked the country’s emergence as a beacon of hope for democracy in the Arab world. The election of Kais Saied in 2019 initiated a series of controversial decisions, including a significant power grab that has raised alarms among international observers and human rights advocates. Saied’s actions have led to widespread detentions of political opponents and critics, unveiling a stark trajectory towards authoritarian rule, contrasting sharply with the aspirations laid down following the ousting of the dictator Ben Ali. The current electoral context reflects not only a consolidation of power by Saied but also a troubling regression in democratic practices, eliciting fears of a sustained erosion of political freedoms in Tunisia.
The projected landslide victory of Kais Saied in the recent presidential election raises critical concerns about the future of democracy in Tunisia. With a significant portion of the population abstaining from voting amidst allegations of electoral fraud and the exclusion of viable candidates, questions regarding the legitimacy of Saied’s mandate are paramount. The fear of further entrenchment of authoritarianism coupled with a diminishing public engagement in the electoral process could lead Tunisia down a precarious path, undermining the hopes for a democratic society heralded by the Arab Spring.
Original Source: www.france24.com
