Thousands Protest President Saied in Tunisia Ahead of Election

On Friday, thousands of Tunisians took to the streets in one of the largest demonstrations in the country in two years, voicing strong opposition to President Kais Saied. Protesters accused Saied of manipulating the upcoming October 6 presidential election through the detention and intimidation of political rivals, which they argue undermines the democratic process.
Chanting slogans such as “Out with dictator Saied” and “No fear, no terror, streets belong to the people,” the demonstrators expressed their frustration with what they view as an authoritarian shift since Saied’s rise to power in 2021.
Bassam Trifi, head of the Human Rights League, voiced concerns about the fairness of the election, stating that the electoral commission should honor court rulings and remove restrictions on candidates to prevent an undemocratic election. Trifi warned that freedoms and rights in Tunisia are at “real risk” under Saied’s rule.
The presidential race currently includes only three candidates: President Saied, Zouhair Maghzaoui, and Ayachi Zammel. However, Zammel was recently jailed on charges of falsifying voter signatures, which he claims are politically motivated. He faces 25 court cases related to these allegations and may be forced out of the race.
Opposition parties have also protested Saied’s crackdown on political dissent. In July, Abdellatif Mekki, a former health minister and member of the Islamist Ennahda movement, was arrested and banned from running for office on political charges. Although a court ordered Mekki’s reinstatement in August, the electoral commission initially ignored this ruling.
Ahmed Neffati, Mekki’s campaign manager, stressed the importance of mass mobilization, stating, “Tunisians will not give up their right to free and democratic elections.”
Critics argue that Saied’s 2021 decision to rule by decree and subsequent actions erode the democratic gains made since Tunisia’s 2011 revolution. His dismissal of key cabinet members and harsh treatment of opposition figures are seen as tactics to consolidate power.
International observers, including the International Crisis Group and Human Rights Watch, have expressed concern over Tunisia’s political climate. Human Rights Watch criticized the electoral process, calling the repression of opposition candidates a violation of Tunisians’ rights to free and fair elections.
Bassam Khawaja, deputy director for the Middle East and North Africa at Human Rights Watch, warned that holding elections amid such repression undermines the right of Tunisians to participate in free and fair elections.
Despite these criticisms, President Saied has defended his actions as necessary to combat corruption and safeguard the country. However, the growing protests reflect deep dissatisfaction among many Tunisians about the future of their democracy and calls for the release of political prisoners, activists, and journalists detained for criticizing the president.
The controversy surrounding the election was further intensified when the electoral commission disqualified three prominent candidates in August, citing alleged irregularities. Although a court ordered their reinstatement on September 2, the commission, whose members were appointed by Saied, has refused to comply, leading many to accuse it of suppressing competition to ensure Saied’s re-election.