Tunisians shun Saied's controversial constitution cementing one-man rule by boycotting poll

A year into a one-man rule, Tunisia holds its breath as voting kicks off on Kais Saied's new constitution today, a legal text widely seen as a threat to the democracy in the birthplace of the 2011 Arab uprising. 

From Bizerte to Tataouine, hundreds of Tunisians head to the voting polls that opened up in the morning.

Sources in Tunis said that most early bird voters were in their forties or older. Meanwhile, younger Tunisians have decided to boycott the referendum, saying they will not participate in "Saied's theater".

"I did not read the new constitution that Saied wrote, and I will not go vote today. What is built on falsehood is false. No arguments," Khalifa, a 24-year-old Tunisian student, told The New Arab.

Ahead of the voting day, The "National Salvation Front" bloc, a group of five political parties including the Islamist Ennahda party, refused to participate in the 25 July referendum.

Voting started today at 6 a.m. on new constitution in Tunisia. In L’aouina Sokra road primary school, citizens are starting to cast their ballots while ISIE members are still hanging voters list & military/police present to oversight the process. Local observers are also present. pic.twitter.com/g8sKyJl4vg

— Ghaya Ben Mbarek غاية بن مبارك (@Ghaya_BM) July 25, 2022

Five left-leaning parties also launched a "national campaign to drop the referendum", calling on Tunisians to boycott the vote.

Several Tunisian media outlets have boycotted the press conferences ahead of 25 July, while numerous NGOs boycotted observing the constitution's referendum, namely the NGO I Watch.

On the other hand, other Tunisians decided to protest Saied's constitution by showing up on Monday and ticking off "No" on the voting paper.

"Many of my friends decided to boycott the vote. I respect their decision. However, I think that only a high record of "Nays" will probably wake Saied from his Ferouan's dreams," Najia, a 36-year-old employee, told The New Arab.

In the early morning, Saied spoke on national television for 20 minutes naming the perks of his constitution. He urged Tunisians to back the draft, despite electoral standards requiring that he remain neutral.

Saied breaks the "electoral silence" live on the National TV to talks about the constitutional draft, and give some info about the next steps he will take to implement his own political project. pic.twitter.com/1w5X5k9zkA

— Mohamed-Dhia Hammami - محمد ضياء الهمامي (@MedDhiaH) July 25, 2022

Saied also said that a low turnout would not affect the referendum's validity.

"You know, about the turnout of elections in other countries – I will not mention their names – but the turnout there is low… this is a call today to Tunisians throughout the world and crucially in Tunisia, to partake in history, to create a new history," he said.

The vote turnout has reached 6.3 per cent (564,753 voters) so far, according to official polls.

The drafting and organisation of Tunisia's constitutional referendum were marred by controversy. After a year of freezing essential democratic bodies and upholding all the extraordinary powers, President Kais Saied announced two weeks ago a constitution draft that "represents the spirit of the revolution". 

Sadok Belaid, head of the committee that drafted the new constitution, distanced himself from the final version shared by the presidency, saying it "contains considerable risks and shortcomings" that could pave the way for "a disgraceful dictatorial regime."

Saied's constitution is controversial on many levels, but mainly for giving the president sweeping powers. 

Saied's opponents fear that the new draft will pave the way for a one-man rule under which freedoms will be repressed.

The authorities' violence against the anti-referendum protesters over the weekend was widely viewed as a glimpse of an upcoming era in which Saied will not tolerate opposition.

Despite the strong boycott campaign, many Tunisians continue to believe in Saied's promise of a stable and safe Tunisia.

"We want safety and a good economy. We have been in chaos for more than 10 years. It's time to turn the page and start a new page," Mohammed, a 56-year-old Tunisian, told The New Arab.

Mohammed said he did not read the constitution, nevertheless, he argues that the draft will stabilise the political scene under Saied's rule.

Like Mohammed, many Tunisians continue to believe in the prophecy of Saied, the former professor of constitutional law, who charmed around 3 million Tunisians during the 2019 elections with his strongly-worded speeches and anti-corruption discourse.

Today is also a public holiday celebrating another referendum when Tunisians voted to end the monarchy in 1957. Saied, who has shown an obsession with history and legislation, supposedly picked up the day to make a political statement.

As the polls are to close at 21h00 GMT (20h Tunisia time), hope and fear are evident in the air of the North African country as Tunisians wait eagerly for an undetermined tomorrow.