Tunisia- November 2022

The electoral campaign for the 17 December elections in Tunisia began on 25 November in the midst of an ongoing crackdown on dissent. Twelve political parties (including the influential Ennahda party) have boycotted the election. President Kais Saied has been criticized by journalists and politicians for using legal proceedings to imprison politicians and journalists who expressed criticism, including through politically motivated investigations into corruption, and the use of a decree introduced in September that criminalises the spreading of “false news.”

Under the new electoral law, 1,055 candidates are running for the 161 seats in the parliament, representing constituencies in Tunisia (151) and abroad (10). Voters are preoccupied with the high cost of living and the unemployment rate (currently at 15.3 per cent). The social situation and new electoral law have had a negative impact on the political outlook, and low voter participation is expected.

Sources: Al Chourouk, Middle East Monitor, North Africa Post, Reuters, International Foundation for Electoral Systems