On Sunday, people in Tunisia go out to vote during a time when the country is hit by a high unemployment rate and cost of living. The second presidential elections since 2011, when the Tulip revolution managed to remove the president Zine El Abidine Ben Ali from power.
The elections were forced to take place after the 92-year-old president Beji Caid Essebsi had died on July 2019. Ever since then at least 24 candidates have filed their nominations to run for the president of the country.
Many of the citizens have been voting ever since the revolution in 2011. According to a report in Al Jazeera, the election saw prominent people from the political elite throw in their name for the presidency. It would be tough election as it is difficult to determine the forerunners in the race.
Those who are running include Prime Minister Youssef Chahed, media mogul Nabil Karoui and Abdelfattah Maurou who is launching the maiden bid of a new party. But the current economic climate of the country has led to many people who are running for the elections against the current political establishment.
The Prime Minister would have a tough task ahead as the public opinion about him is not very high and hold him responsible for the crisis. While Karoui is being investigated by the police on money-laundering charges.
The president normally has authority over the issues related to foreign policy, national security, and defence. He governs alongside a Prime Minister who is elected by a parliament.
In order for a candidate to win, he has to secure 50 per cent of the votes cast. Many voters are concerned for their future and worry if the new president would be able to provide them with the change which the revolution of 2011 promised.
Given the current scenario, it would be difficult to determine if any of the candidates would be able to secure a majority. In a case like this, the top two voted candidates would advance forward for the second round of voting for which the date is yet to be decided.
Tunisia had seen elections come in after the successful revolution
(Inputs from agencies)