Erosion of Electoral Integrity in Tunisia Ahead of 2024 Presidential Election

Tunisian authorities are undermining the upcoming presidential election’s integrity by altering electoral laws and suppressing opposition. The recent enactments erode judicial oversight, enable mass arrests of dissenters, and restrict independent observations, creating a hostile environment for free elections. Human Rights Watch has condemned these actions and called for the release of detainees and an end to the curtailment of civil liberties.

Tunisian authorities are jeopardizing the integrity of the upcoming presidential election scheduled for October 6, 2024, according to Human Rights Watch. This deterioration of electoral fairness follows the recent legislative amendments to the electoral law, enacted just days prior to the election, which severely limit political competition and oversight. Moreover, the measures include the exclusion and arrest of numerous opposition candidates, as well as arbitrary actions against independent media and civil society groups. On September 27, Tunisia’s Assembly of the Representatives of the People approved a controversial law that removed the Administrative Court’s authority in electoral matters, significantly undermining its ability to check potential abuses by the electoral commission. In the atmosphere of increasing repression, over 170 individuals are presently detained for political reasons, with a considerable number being members of the Ennahda political party, the largest opposition party in Tunisia. This assault on electoral integrity is further exemplified by the commission’s arbitrary denial of accreditation to independent election observers and ongoing targeting of the media. Bassam Khawaja, the deputy director of Human Rights Watch for the Middle East and North Africa, stated, “Tunisian authorities are systematically placing obstacle after obstacle in the way of a fair election and opposition candidates being able to campaign for president freely.” Changes to the law stipulate that the Tunis Court of Appeal will now be the sole authority for handling electoral disputes, eliminating oversight from any other judicial entity. This shift follows a prior ruling by the Administrative Court that had reinstated excluded candidates, which was disregarded by the electoral commission which continued with three candidates, including the incumbent president. To reinforce their grip on power, authorities have conducted mass arrests, particularly targeting critics and political opponents, including significant actions against Ennahda supporters. Legal actions against opposition members now exist, with officials prosecuting or detaining at least nine potential presidential candidates since the electoral period initiated on July 14, including the detention of Ayachi Zammel, who has faced multiple sentences. Ahead of the election, the governmental crackdown has extended to influential civil society organizations, with the electoral commission blocking the accreditation of prominent election observation groups on questionable grounds. This exclusion has seriously hampered their ability to assess the electoral process effectively. Additionally, various media outlets have faced scrutiny and legal consequences for reporting on or critiquing the commission’s actions. In light of Tunisia’s commitments under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), the current situation presents a significant deviation from the expected standards for free and fair elections. Human Rights Watch has called upon the Tunisian authorities to cease their arbitrary detentions and allow for the unencumbered functioning of civil society organizations and independent media during the electoral process.

The context for the current situation in Tunisia centers on a decline in democratic norms and practices following the country’s 2011 revolution, which aimed to establish a more participatory and transparent political system. However, recent actions by the Tunisian government indicate a systematic dismantling of the electoral framework that safeguards political competition and civil liberties. The amendments to the electoral law and subsequent arrests of opposition figures signal an authoritarian shift that poses a direct threat to the integrity of the electoral process. The involvement of the electoral commission, previously considered an independent body, now reflects the government’s intent to exert control over the election narrative and suppress dissent.

The actions taken by the Tunisian authorities leading up to the October 6, 2024, presidential election represent a serious blow to the integrity of the electoral process. The stripping of judicial oversight, coupled with mass arrests of political opponents and the targeting of civil society and media, calls into question the legitimacy of the upcoming election. Human Rights Watch’s urging for the restoration of fairness and adherence to international human rights standards highlights the critical need for reform, and the protection of political freedoms in Tunisia.

Original Source: www.hrw.org