He could also present draft laws to parliament, which would be obliged to give them priority.Įlection officials count ballots. The new text would place the president in command of the army, allow him to appoint a government without parliamentary approval and make him virtually impossible to remove from office. Saied’s critics have warned the new constitution would lock in presidential powers that could tip Tunisia back into dictatorship. The president seized control of ISIE in April, giving himself the authority to name three of the seven members of the commission including its chief. Ahmed Nejib Chebbi, head of the National Salvation Front that includes Saied’s main rivals, said the figures were “inflated and don’t fit with what observers saw on the ground” across Tunisia. Tunisia‘s main opposition alliance on Tuesday acccused the electoral board of falsifying turnout numbers. Still, turnout was higher than many observers had expected, suggesting that Saied continues to enjoy personal popularity almost three years into his mandate. Only around a third of 9.3 million registered voters cast ballots, Tunisia’s ISIE electoral commission said, showing widespread apathy with the political process. Without naming them, the president promised “all those who have committed crimes against the country will be held accountable for their actions”.
“Tunisia has entered a new phase,” he said, according to local television, adding that “there was a large crowd in the polling stations and the rate would have been higher if the vote took place over two days”. After the projected outcome was announced on national television, Saied supporters drove cars in procession through central Tunis, waving flags and beeping their horns, with some singing the national anthem or shouting “We would sacrifice our souls and our blood for you, Saied!”Īt around 2am local time on Tuesday, the president appeared in front of a jubilant crowd.
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