28 Sep 2024 | 11:19 AM UTC
Tunisia: Heightened security and protests likely before, amid, and immediately after presidential election scheduled Oct. 6
Increased security and demonstrations likely ahead of, during, and immediately after Tunisian presidential election scheduled Oct. 6.
Heightened security and demonstrations are likely across Tunisia before, during, and immediately after the country's presidential election scheduled for Oct. 6. Incumbent President Kais Saied is running for a second five-year term. Demonstrations denouncing Saied's perceived authoritarian tendencies and increased crackdown on political dissent will likely occur in the coming days. A proposed amendment to the electoral law before the elections has also increased protests in Tunis.
Thousands of security personnel will probably deploy to secure polling sites ahead of the election and maintain order as voting proceeds. Demonstrations and political rallies may occur in locations across the country in the lead-up to, during, and after the vote. Possible gathering sites in the Tunis area include the Assembly of Representatives, Municipal Theater on Avenue Habib Bourguiba, Palais de Justice, and the Court of First Instance. Localized transport disruptions are likely near any protest sites. Authorities will likely maintain heightened security measures around any such gatherings that materialize and may clash with demonstrators if they refuse any orders to disperse. Militants may attempt to attack political rallies in some areas.
Monitor local developments closely. Avoid any demonstrations that materialize due to the potential for clashes. Allow extra time for travel near possible demonstration sites. Reconfirm the status of public transport during protest periods. Heed the instructions of local security personnel; leave the area immediately if violence breaks out nearby. Exercise caution near polling stations. Seek updated information from local, trusted sources on election rallies and any associated disruptions. Use alternative routes to circumvent election-related events; allow additional time to reach destinations. Maintain contact with your diplomatic mission.
Since his first election in October 2019, Saied has increasingly concentrated executive powers. In 2021, he dismissed Tunisia’s prime minister, suspended Parliament, and stripped lawmakers of legislative immunity following nationwide demonstrations. In July 2022, through a referendum where only 30.5 percent of the population voted, Saied changed the constitution and created a presidential system, further strengthening his control. The new constitution has angered most opposition parties as it has reduced the power of the Parliament and many Tunisian institutions. Saied has also increased his crackdown on opposition leaders, journalists, and civil society activists. Furthermore, after declaring his candidacy on Aug. 5, Saied launched a wave of arrests targeting rivals and critics and prosecuting them under Decree 54, a law enacted in 2022 to combat "false news."
On Aug. 10, the election authority announced three candidates for the presidential election: Ayachi Zammel and Zouhair Maghzaoui, two former representatives, and incumbent Kais Saied. On Sept. 6, Ayachi Zammel was arrested and is awaiting trial for alleged false sponsorships.
