Presidential Election in Tunisia! Three Candidates for One Position

On Sunday, August 10, 2024, at 7 p.m., the Independent High Authority for Elections (ISIE) announces the candidates for the presidential election in Tunisia. Out of 17 candidates who applied, only three were accepted by the end of the submission deadline on August 6.

The three candidates running in the election on October 6 are Kaïs Saïed, Zouhair Maghzaoui, and Ayachi Zammel. The first named is the current occupant of the Carthage palace. He is well-known. He will be competing for his own succession against the Secretary-General of the Popular Movement, Zouhair Maghzaoui, and the leader of the “Azimoun Movement,” Ayachi Zammel. Two names that are very little known to the Tunisian public. However, nothing prevents their chances from remaining intact, as the democratic process in Tunisia remains open, despite what is said.

If Kaïs Saïed managed to be elected five years ago without a political party or popular base, this encourages other candidates to hope to lead the Tunisian state by convincing the electorate with a sincere discourse and a program that meets the aspirations of Tunisians. This is far from the Algerian setup, where the military and secret services exert their full weight in deciding the outcome of the election long before it takes place.