Tunisian President Kais Saied on Wednesday outlined new changes in parliamentary voting in elections expected to be held in December, reported Africa News.
Saied said the voting will take place in two rounds, and people will vote for individuals rather than lists as in previous elections. He added the voting will be held under the supervision of the Independent Electoral Commission, although not in its current composition, hinting at the possibility he may change some members.
The Tunisian president had long questioned the role of the Independent High Authority for Elections (ISIE) committee, which was formed following the 2011 uprising in Tunisia to monitor the democratic transition of power and voting in the country.
Saied, who took control of executive power last year in a move his opponents called a coup, is under strong internal and external pressure to restore the country to a democratic path.
Last week, the Tunisian political crisis intensified after more than half the members of parliament held an online session to revoke Saied’s decrees. The president responded by dissolving the parliament and imposing one-man rule. His opponents described his actions as a coup.
Saied has said he would have a dialogue on political reforms but traitors and thieves would not participate in the talks. He has rejected accusations that he is seeking a return to individual rule, arguing that the measures were important to rid the north African country of pervasive corruption.
He has previously said he would form a committee to rewrite the constitution, put it to a referendum in July and then hold parliamentary elections in December.
In related news, the Tunisian foreign ministry summoned Turkey’s ambassador on Wednesday, after President Recep Tayyip Erdogan criticized Saied for dissolving the country’s parliament.
Tunisia’s foreign ministry issued a statement voicing “surprise” at Erdogan’s comments, calling it “unacceptable interference” in Tunisia’s domestic affairs.
