Summary:

On 10 September 2024, Deputy Secretary General of the Echaab political movement, Mohamed Msilini, said his party’s presidential candidate, Zouhair Maghzaoui, will not withdraw his candidacy despite the looming threat of legal investigations targeting him. 

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These statements came as Maghzaoui remains the only candidate still outside of police custody who is running against the sitting president, Kais Saied. Rumors have continued to circulate that Maghzaoui may soon be the subject of a judicial investigation. The Echaab Movement said it can neither confirm nor deny these rumors. 

Zouhaier Maghzaoui started his electoral campaign on Saturday 14 September in the interior city of El-Kef where he presented his vision for the election and the future. 

Meanwhile, the First Instance of the Court of Jendouba rejected demands to release Ayachi Zammel so that he may launch his presidential campaign. Ayachi Zammel is facing four arrest warrants for accusations of falsifying electoral sponsorships. 

Also, on 14 September, the administrative court called for the Higher Authority for Elections (ISIE) to approve the candidacy of Mondher Zenaidi or delay the voting if necessary to guarantee his participation. Zenaidi’s candidacy has remained a point of contention with the court ruling that he should be allowed to run, but the ISIE nevertheless insists he is not permitted to run. 

Outlook: 

The 6 October election is the subject of growing controversy as challengers to President Saied face the threat of investigations or have already been excluded from the race.  

With many commentators describing the current trend of legal cases against challengers as essentially judicial intimidation, the legitimacy of Tunisia’s elections is already waning.  With Friday’s large-scale rally decrying political corruption and lack of transparency, Tunisia is very likely to see increasing political tensions in the coming weeks as civil society organizations and political leaders call for a change of direction. 

The ISIE’s decision to overrule the administrative court rulings concerning the candidacy of Mondher Zenaidi, is another blow to Tunisia’s credibility, including the credibility of state institutions and the rule of law.  

Tunisia’s reputation internationally is further threatened by these campaign irregularities, feeding the sense of commentators abroad that Tunisia has already slipped from the hands of democracy. 

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