In Tunisia, the electoral period begins on July 14 for the presidential election scheduled for October 6. But even before the submission of candidacies has begun, opposition candidates are reporting administrative difficulties in running. Particularly for political opponents in prison. To submit their candidacy for the presidential election, candidates must collect 10,000 sponsorships, according to the law. For political opponents, the process is already becoming more complicated.
1 min
with our correspondent in Tunis, Lilia Blaise
In recent days, some political opponents in prison have denounced the blockage they are suffering in obtaining the document necessary for collecting sponsorships. A document issued by the Electoral Authority.
Nafaa Laâribi, one of the opponent’s lawyers Abir Moussipresident of the Free Destourian Party – and in prison since October 2023 – has paid the price. Quite simply, we were asked for a written power of attorney from Maître Abir Moussi, to designate someone so that they could request the sponsorship forms, that surprised us. “.
Surprised because her lawyers thought they could, according to the law, also represent her for this process…and they were unable to obtain a notary bailiff sent by the courts to the remand center to carry out the said power of attorney.
Left-wing opponent Ghazi Ghaouachi, in prison since February 2023, is experiencing a similar situation. He already has a power of attorney recognized by the courts to take care of his administrative procedures, according to one of his sons Elyes Chaouachi: ” The independent higher authority for elections called ISIE refused to accept this proxy on the pretext that my father does not have a specific proxy to obtain the sponsorship form; and for us, this justification seems really ridiculous. ! »
Both opponents are planning legal action. The electoral authority has not yet provided any clarification on this blockage…