Today's Edition
AHMED MURAD (CAIRO)
Tunisians commenced the voting process on Sunday to select representatives for local councils, marking the second elections since the introduction of the new constitution in 2022.
Tunisian President Kais Saied, post-vote, reiterated his commitment to purging the nation of those who misused its resources, guiding it towards a new republic, and making history.
Saied said: “The Tunisian people are acutely aware of the country’s challenges. We can only surmount these through collective efforts within the framework of purifying the country, ensuring prosperity for all. We’re racing against time to forge a new chapter in Tunisia’s history.”
He stressed that “Tunisia will always remain a united state, and the Tunisian people, expressing their will, will make major choices for the country”, adding that the country is dedicated to building all state institutions and cleansing the state of corruption.
He confirmed the continuation of the path set on July 25, 2021, noting that, after establishing the Supreme Council of Regions and Districts and completing what the 2022 constitution stipulates, the Supreme Council for Education and the formation of the Constitutional Court will be established.
More than 7,000 candidates are participating in these elections, with the electoral register showing 9,080,987 voters, comprising 51.1% females and 48.9% males, as per the election commission data.
Tunisian political activist Sahib Al-Mazraqi emphasised that the formation of the second chamber of parliament, the National Council for Regions and Districts, is pivotal for Tunisia’s political and developmental reforms.
He noted that this chamber plays a crucial role in development tasks, acting as a key stabiliser for the country’s political, economic, and social framework.
Under Article 84 of the Tunisian Constitution, the National Council for Regions and Districts bears responsibility for examining the state budget and regional and national development plans, ensuring equitable distribution across regions and districts.
This Council also wields oversight and accountability powers concerning budget execution and development plans, including approving finance laws and development strategies.
Al-Mazraqi, speaking to Aletihad, remarked that Tunisia has progressed significantly in executing President Kais Saied’s reform programme, signalling a definitive end to the Ennahda movement.
He stated: “Completing the legislative system is a critical stride in the journey of reform and development. The National Council for Regions and Governorates plays an integral role in devising developmental solutions for the crises affecting various Tunisian regions.”
These solutions span infrastructure, economic resources, healthcare, social welfare, crime prevention, and deviation deterrence, he added.
He said that the completion of the legislative system will have positive impact on economic and developmental facets, such as fostering an investment-attracting environment and bolstering the Tunisian economy in response to global trends.
This includes a focus on enhancing the agricultural sector to mitigate the country’s food crisis and ensuring food security as a cornerstone of national security.
The National Council for Regions and Governorates consists of elected deputies representing Tunisian regions and governorates. Each regional council elects three representatives in the council. The elected members of the regional councils in each province also elect one representative to represent the province within the council. The formation of regional councils takes place after the establishment of local councils in the country’s 24 provinces through a lottery mechanism overseen by the Independent High Authority for Elections.
Tunisian political analyst Basel Al-Turjuman told Aletihad that finalising the legislative system fortifies the pillars of Tunisia’s democracy.
It aids in constructing a genuine political framework capable of addressing citizens’ diverse needs and offering practical solutions to ongoing crises and daily challenges, he added, noting that this process also serves to circumvent past errors that continue to impact the nation.
