Elections in Tunisia

Elections in Tunisia gives information on election and election results in Tunisia.

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 (Majlis al-Nuwaab/Chambre des Députés) has 189 members, elected for a five year term in single seat 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. 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. Tunisia is a one party dominant state with the Democratic Constitutional Rally in power. Opposition parties are allowed, but are widely considered to have no real chance of gaining power.

See also

• Electoral calendar
• Electoral system

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