Elections in Tunisia: Difference between revisions
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'''Elections in Tunisia''' are held every five to six years, and elect both the [[President of Tunisia|president]] and members of both legislative branches to the national government of the [[Republic of Tunisia]]. |
'''Elections in Tunisia''' are held every five to six years, and elect both the [[President of Tunisia|president]] and members of both legislative branches to the national government of the [[Republic of Tunisia]]. |
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==Executive Branch== |
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Tunisia elects on national level a [[head of state]] - the [[president]] - and a [[legislature]]. The president is elected for a five year term by the people. The '''[[Chamber of Deputies of Tunisia|Chamber of Deputies]]''' (''Majlis al-Nuwaab/Chambre des Députés'') has 189 members, elected for a five year term in single seat [[constituency|constituencies]]. 37 seats are guaranteed to the opposition. However these seats are reserved to what is commonly referred to in Tunisia as "Fake opposition". This is a ploy perfected by Zine Elabidine ben Ali, whereby certain select people (usually close allies) are given lots of privileges and seats in the parliament at the cost of running mock opposition. The ruling party and its apparatus helps them set full fledged fake parties, complete with newspapers, offices, etc... Of course they are stricly expected to endorse all and every thing Ben Ali does and they usually have no real member. Their only activities are to issue telegrams of unconditional support to Ben Ali and his policies. During election these fake parties run mock (reported in the news but not real) campaigns to give an illusion that here is democracy and fair competition. These campaigns usually culminate in the fake parties endorsing the ruling party and Zine El Abidine Ben Ali. In many instances these parties' purpose is to muddy the picture and attack the real opposition. |
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(Main article: ''[[Politics of Tunisia]]'') |
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The '''[[Chamber of Councillors]]''' (''Majlis al-Mustasharin'') has 126 members, 85 members indirectly elected by electors composed of members of the Chamber of Deputies and city council members, and 41 are appointed by the President. This last Chamber, elected 3 July 2005, is dominated by the ruling party. |
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Tunisia is a [[one party dominant state]] with the [[Democratic Constitutional Rally]] in power. [[Opposition (politics)|Opposition]] [[political parties|parties]] are allowed, but are widely considered to have no real chance of gaining power. |
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In Tunisia, the President is elected to five-year terms with no term limit. He appoints a prime Minister and cabinet, who play a strong role in the execution of policy. Regional governors and local administrators are appointed by the central government. Mayors and municipal councils, which fill a local consultative role, are elected. This system was established by a provision of the country's Code of Personal Status, introduced by the former President [[Habib Bourguiba]] in 1956.<ref>{{cite web | title=Law, Code of Personal Status |first= |last= |url=http://chnm.gmu.edu/wwh/modules/lesson9/lesson9.php?s=11 | source=George Washington University | date= | accessdate=13 December 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title=Tunisia: Country Update |first= |last= |url=http://www.europeanforum.net/country/tunisia | source=European Forum for Democracy and Solidarity | date=1 July 2010 | accessdate=13 December 2010}}</ref> The current president is [[Zine El Abidine Ben Ali]]. |
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==Legislative branch== |
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The [[Chamber of Deputies of Tunisia]] (''Majlis al-Nuwaab'') is Tunisia’s lower Chamber. It has 189 seats and members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms. 20% of the seats are reserved for the opposition. The Chamber plays a role in debate on national policy but never originates legislation. Elections are held in the last 30 days of each five-year term. To be eligible for office, one must be a voter with a Tunisian mother or father and be at least 23 years.<ref>{{cite web | title=Tunisia: Country Update |first= |last= |url=http://www.europeanforum.net/country/tunisia | source=European Forum for Democracy and Solidarity | date=1 July 2010 | accessdate=13 December 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title=A Guide to the Tunisian Legal System |first=Dahmene |last=Touchent |url=http://www.nyulawglobal.org/globalex/Tunisia1.htm | source=GlobaLex | date=1 July 2010 | accessdate=13 December 2010}}</ref> |
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Tunisia’s upper chamber, the [[Chamber of Councillors of Tunisia]], was created in July 2002 by Parliament. Its membership is restricted to two-thirds of the number of members in the Chamber of Deputies. Members are elected or appointed. One or two members (determined by size of population) are elected from each governance. These members are selected by local authorities. A third of the members are elected by a group of employers, farmers and workers. These seats are divided equally among the three groups. The remaining seats (41) are filled by qualified presidential appointees. All members sit for six-year terms and half of the membership is renewed every three years. To be eligible for office, a candidate must be a voter with a Tunisian mother or father and at least 40 years old.<ref>{{cite web | title=Tunisia: Country Update |first= |last= |url=http://www.europeanforum.net/country/tunisia | source=European Forum for Democracy and Solidarity | date=1 July 2010 | accessdate=13 December 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title=A Guide to the Tunisian Legal System |first=Dahmene |last=Touchent |url=http://www.nyulawglobal.org/globalex/Tunisia1.htm | source=GlobaLex | date=1 July 2010 | accessdate=13 December 2010}}</ref> |
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==Latest elections== |
==Latest elections== |
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Revision as of 15:53, 14 December 2010
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Elections in Tunisia are held every five to six years, and elect both the president and members of both legislative branches to the national government of the Republic of Tunisia.
Executive Branch
(Main article: Politics of Tunisia)
In Tunisia, the President is elected to five-year terms with no term limit. He appoints a prime Minister and cabinet, who play a strong role in the execution of policy. Regional governors and local administrators are appointed by the central government. Mayors and municipal councils, which fill a local consultative role, are elected. This system was established by a provision of the country's Code of Personal Status, introduced by the former President Habib Bourguiba in 1956.[1][2] The current president is Zine El Abidine Ben Ali.
Legislative branch
The Chamber of Deputies of Tunisia (Majlis al-Nuwaab) is Tunisia’s lower Chamber. It has 189 seats and members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms. 20% of the seats are reserved for the opposition. The Chamber plays a role in debate on national policy but never originates legislation. Elections are held in the last 30 days of each five-year term. To be eligible for office, one must be a voter with a Tunisian mother or father and be at least 23 years.[3][4]
Tunisia’s upper chamber, the Chamber of Councillors of Tunisia, was created in July 2002 by Parliament. Its membership is restricted to two-thirds of the number of members in the Chamber of Deputies. Members are elected or appointed. One or two members (determined by size of population) are elected from each governance. These members are selected by local authorities. A third of the members are elected by a group of employers, farmers and workers. These seats are divided equally among the three groups. The remaining seats (41) are filled by qualified presidential appointees. All members sit for six-year terms and half of the membership is renewed every three years. To be eligible for office, a candidate must be a voter with a Tunisian mother or father and at least 40 years old.[5][6]
Latest elections
2009 Presidential election
Template:Tunisian presidential election, 2009
2009 Legislative election
Template:Tunisian legislative election, 2009
Past elections
| Presidential elections | |
|---|---|
| Parliamentary elections | |
| Regional elections | |
| Local elections | |
| French elections | |
| Referendums | |
See also
External links
- Interview with Neila C. Hachicha: "Tunisia's Election Was Undemocratic at All Levels", Middle East Quarterly, a Tunisian politician explains obstacle to democracy in her homeland.
- Adam Carr's Election Archive
- ^ "Law, Code of Personal Status". Retrieved 13 December 2010.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|source=ignored (help) - ^ "Tunisia: Country Update". 1 July 2010. Retrieved 13 December 2010.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|source=ignored (help) - ^ "Tunisia: Country Update". 1 July 2010. Retrieved 13 December 2010.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|source=ignored (help) - ^ Touchent, Dahmene (1 July 2010). "A Guide to the Tunisian Legal System". Retrieved 13 December 2010.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|source=ignored (help) - ^ "Tunisia: Country Update". 1 July 2010. Retrieved 13 December 2010.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|source=ignored (help) - ^ Touchent, Dahmene (1 July 2010). "A Guide to the Tunisian Legal System". Retrieved 13 December 2010.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|source=ignored (help)