Elections in Tunisia
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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 | |
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| 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.
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