The referendum was held on Monday, but not even a third of those eligible to vote chose to cast their vote in favor of a constitutional proposal that greatly strengthens the president’s power. A power that he seized through coup-like methods.
The opposition called for a boycott of the referendum.
“Tunisia has taken a step towards a new age,” said the president when the preliminary results were updated on Tuesday.
But the US State Department noted with concern that “the new constitution contains weakened control functions (within society and its institutions) that could defend the protection of human rights and undermine fundamental freedoms”.
The opposition in Tunisia also accused the regime of falsifying the data on voter turnout.
The referendum was held a year after incumbent President Saïed closed parliament and dissolved the government. His critics have described the move as a coup, but the concentration of power was simultaneously hailed by groups disillusioned with economic stagnation and fed up with previous political leaders.