Tunisian opposition boycotts presidential elections due to repression under Kais Saied

Tunisia's main opposition coalition has announced a boycott of the presidential elections unless political opponents are released and judicial independence is reinstated.

"The Front rejects participation in any electoral charade due to the absence of conditions for fair and democratic elections," said Ahmed Najib Chebbi, leader of the National Salvation Front, during a press conference in Tunis on Tuesday.

Chebbi stated that the National Salvation Front, comprising major opposition parties including the once-influential Islamist movement Ennahdha, will not nominate any candidates for the presidential elections from "within or outside its ranks."

Over twenty political opponents have been charged or imprisoned since Saied consolidated power in 2021 by suspending parliament and rewriting the country's constitution in a referendum with a low turnout.

The National Salvation Front's demands include the release of imprisoned politicians, ensuring the independence of the electoral commission, restoring judicial independence, and reopening the Ennahdha party's headquarters.

Ennahdha's headquarters were closed last year, and its leader, Rached Ghannouchi, a former parliament speaker, was sentenced to 15 months in prison on terrorism-related charges. Amnesty International Rights group says the charge is politically driven.

Under Tunisia's new constitution, the president can appoint members of the electoral authority and magistrates.

President Saied is widely expected to seek a second term in the upcoming presidential elections scheduled for September or October.

So far, seven politicians, mostly in jail or exile, have announced their candidacy for the upcoming election.

In March, around a hundred opposition figures endorsed the candidacy of Essam Chebbi, the head of the Republican Party, who is imprisoned on charges of conspiring against state security.

Abir Moussi, President of the Free Constitutional Party and currently imprisoned for attempting "to overthrow the state," has also announced her candidacy.

Other candidates include former minister Safi Said, currently residing in France, Lutfi Meraïhi, head of the People's Union Republican Party, journalist Nizar Chaari, and Alifa Hamdi, President of the Third Republic Party.

Commentators suggest that these candidacy announcements aim to pressure President Kais Saied to clarify the election date.

Last month, Kais El-Karoui, a campaign member for President Saied, argued that all presidential candidates should grant Saied lifelong immunity, expressing concerns about potential retaliation against the controversial Tunisian president after his term ends.