Tunisians are voting today in a presidential election that the opposition has criticized as neither free nor fair. President Kais Saied, who is seeking a second term, faces accusations of manipulating the electoral process to reduce competition.
The electoral commission approved only two other candidates to challenge Saied, while others have either been imprisoned or disqualified from the race.
Saied, who was elected in 2019 with widespread public support, promised economic reform. However, since assuming office, he has faced increasing criticism. Shortly after taking power, Saied dismissed the prime minister, suspended parliament, and revised the constitution to consolidate his authority.
In recent years, some of Saied’s critics, including lawyers, journalists, and activists, have been arrested under a controversial anti-fake news law. Observers argue that the law is being used to suppress dissent.
The opposition has called for a boycott of the election, casting uncertainty on voter turnout. Nearly 10 million Tunisians are eligible to vote, but the level of participation remains uncertain.
