Tunisia held its second democratic presidential election since 2011 on Sunday, the 15th of September, 2019. The election, which was brought forward following the death of the country’s first democratically president, Beji Caid Essebsi, was seen as a test of the country’s young democracy.
The Campaign
Twenty-six candidates were initially approved to contest in the elections, but the number was whittled down to 24 after two candidates withdrew their candidacy in favour of Defence Minister Abdelkarim Zbidi, Al Jazeera reported.
The campaign was marred by controversy following the arrest of a prominent candidate, Nabil Karoui, on the 23rd of August following accusations of money laundering and tax evasion. His arrest was seen as politically motivated but Karoui was still allowed to contest on the election day.
In a move that was registered as positive, 25 candidates faced off in the first-ever televised presidential debate.
Where Are The Young People?
More than seven million Tunisians were eligible to vote, but only 45% turned up to vote, down from the 64% turnout recorded in the 2014 election. Voter apathy among the youths is reportedly responsible for the low turnout, despite the head of the electoral commission, Nabil Baffoun, urging young people to vote as polls neared closing.
“Young people of Tunisia, you still have an hour to vote! We must leave our homes and vote — it’s a right that we gained from the 2011 revolution that cost lives,” Baffoun urged.
“Where are the young people? This is their country, their future,” Adil Toumi, a voter in his 60s reportedly toldthe AFP news agency.
Making up 60% of the country’s population, a third of the eligible voters are estimated to be under 35 years old.
Another Revolution?
Exit polls suggest that the political elites were shunned in the election. According to Al Jazeera, “distrust of the political elite has been deepened by an unemployment rate of 15 per cent and a rise in the cost of living by close to 30 per cent since 2016.” This has reportedly contributed to their poor showing.
An independent candidate, Kais Saied, is estimated to be in the lead with 19% of the vote, while jailed media mogul Nabil Karoui trailed behind him with 15%, Reuters reported.
In an interview after polls closed, Saied reportedly described his lead as “like a new revolution.” A reference to the 2011 Arab Spring uprising which started in Tunisia.
Official results are expected to be announced on September 17th. If no candidate wins an outright majority of 50%, a runoff will be held.
