Tunisians are voting on Monday for a controversial new constitution introduced by President Kais Saied, critics say formalize your power grab and reverse the hard-won democratic gains in the North African nation.
Monday’s referendum completes one year on that day Mr. Said seals Tunisia’s parliament and dismisses his government – a move ridiculed as a “coup” by critics, but celebrated by Tunisians, who were angered by the country’s political elite and years of economic stagnation. In the years since then, Saeed has given himself the power to rule by decree and fired dozens of judges, decisions that have provoked numerous protests.
The new constitution gives all executive powers to the office of the President and removes major checks and balances. The power of Tunisia’s judiciary and parliament will be greatly reduced.
Critics have warned that Syed’s new political structure could pave the way for a new autocracy in the country that rose in 2011 against former absolutist Zine El Abidine Ben Ali and shut down pro-democracy protests against the Arab Spring. Tunisia is the only nation to emerge with a democracy from those protests.
Mr Sayeed says changes are needed to eliminate corruption and “put the country back on the revolutionary path”.
After casting his vote in Tunis on Monday morning, Mr Saeed said The Associated Press That the referendum was a call to Tunisians everywhere to “participate in history, create a new history”.
Mr Sayeed dismissed fears that the constitution would revive a dictatorship, saying citizens were able to protest and express themselves freely.
“There is no dictatorship, as I say in the explanatory document on rights and liberties: it protects the constitution (such liberty), and the revolution is defended by those who stand up for those who undermine it. “
Turnout was very low in Tunis when voting began on Monday, as seen AP, Many observers are expecting low turnout, which underlines Tunisia’s disillusionment with politics and their daily struggle to deal with rising inflation that has reached 8.1%.
Officially, however, officials are reporting higher turnout numbers. Farooq Boskar, chairman of the Independent Higher Authority for Elections (ISIE), said 6.32% of ballots were cast by 9:30 am as compared to 1.6% for the same time in the 2019 elections.
Despite the scorching heat, some elderly voters came to cast their votes. One voter, Fatma, who did not want to reveal her full name, said, “I waited for this opportunity to vote for a long time. I hope it will be good for the Tunisian people and the country.”
The drafting and organization of Monday’s referendum have been embroiled in controversy. Sadok Bellad, a constitutional law professor who led the committee drafting the new constitution, condemned the result – which was extensively revised by the president – saying it “contains considerable risks and drawbacks”. are” which can lead to “a shameful dictatorial regime.”
Mr Saeed has urged Tunisians to support the resolution, regardless of election standards, to remain neutral. The vote would be supervised by the independent Higher Authority for Elections, whose members he appointed.
A former constitutional law professor, Mr. Sayeed ran for the presidency in 2019 on a populist, anti-corruption platform, winning the second round with over 70% of the vote.
Mr Saeed’s supporters believe the new constitution will end years of political deadlock.
Pro-Sayed civil society activist Fatma Ben Salah says it is “unusual” that the 2014 constitution gives the prime minister more power than the president elected by a large majority. Ben Salah says that Tunisia became obsolete due to years of conflict between the three branches of government, leading to an economic and social crisis in the country, which has an unemployment rate of over 16%.
Former minister Hatem El Uchi believes that the integration of executive power can ensure stability, revive the economy and investment, and create jobs.
But for Tunisian magistrate Ahmed Souab, the constitution represents “a serious threat to democracy” because it does not guarantee a clear balance of powers and gives Said more privileges than previous Tunisian strongmen.
Several civil society groups have rejected the new constitution. Tunisian non-governmental group Al Bawsala says the new constitution would lead to a monopoly on power, threatening the rights and freedoms of every citizen.
“(It) does not provide any control mechanism even in the event of a blatant violation of the constitution by the president,” Al Bawsala communications officer Haythem Benzid said. The Associated Press,
Benzid believes that Mr Syed is relying on the widespread discontent created by the mismanagement of public affairs in the decade following Tunisia’s revolution.
The proposed constitution has divided Tunisia’s opposition. Only one party, Afaik Toons, has said it will vote against the proposal. Most political parties, including Tunisia’s influential Islamic party Ennahdha, say they plan to boycott Monday’s referendum so as not to legitimize the process.
“We refuse to go to a democracy funeral,” Republican Party leader Issam Chebbi said, adding that he believed in the “absolute personal power” that Saeed wants to give himself “worse than Ben Ali”.
Tunisian activist Henda Fallah tweeted on Sunday that she had decided to boycott the vote, saying the text is built on a flawed foundation and that the violations of electoral law were “countless”.
“This will be the first time I haven’t been voting since 2011,” Fallah said.
Mr. Sayeed turned a AP The question is whether the low turnout will cast doubt on the legitimacy of the referendum.
ISIE President Bausker said the voting process was being monitored by 5,678 observers, including 124 foreigners.
The preliminary result is expected to be declared by Wednesday, with the final result on August 28.