Voting for Tunisia’s inaugural local council elections kicked off on Sunday, marking a significant milestone in the country’s political landscape. The polls, commencing at 8 AM local time and spanning 10 hours, are being conducted in 4,685 election centers across 2,155 regions within the North African nation.
Data from the Supreme Electoral Council indicates that more than 9 million voters are anticipated to participate in the elections, exercising their right to choose local representatives.
The outcomes will play a pivotal role in determining the composition of the newly established Local and Regional National Council.
The unique electoral process involves each of the 279 local councils selecting a representative through a draw, who will then contribute to their respective provincial council.
Among these provincial council members, 77 will ultimately serve in the Local and Regional National Council, in accordance with the allocated quota for different regions.
Despite the significance of these elections, parties spanning the political spectrum have opted to boycott the process, as reported by local media.
This decision underscores the deep-seated political crisis that has engulfed Tunisia since 2021, when President Kais Saied ousted the government and dissolved the parliament. The crisis has not only left a lasting impact on the political landscape but has also exacerbated economic conditions within the country.
