Kais Saied Secures Second Term in Tunisian Presidential Elections
In a decisive victory, outgoing President Kais Saied has won a second term in the Tunisian presidential elections, securing 89.2% of the votes according to estimates from the Sigma Conseil polling firm. This significant win, which translates to 2,194,150 votes, positions Saied far ahead of his closest competitors, with imprisoned candidate Ayachi Zemal receiving only 6.9% and former MP Zuhair Al-Maghzaoui garnering 3.9% of the votes.
The election, held on Sunday, October 6, 2024, saw a notably low voter turnout of 27.7%, the lowest since the 2011 revolution that marked the beginning of the Arab Spring. This decline in participation reflects the current economic challenges facing Tunisia, which have dampened enthusiasm for the electoral process. According to Farouk Bouasker, head of the electoral commission, over 2.7 million voters participated in the election across more than 5,000 polling stations that closed at 6 p.m. local time.
As Tunisia grapples with economic difficulties, the preliminary results are expected to be officially announced by the Election Commission on Monday evening. The lack of enthusiasm in the campaign has been palpable, as citizens navigate ongoing financial hardships.
- The election results highlight the challenges Tunisia faces in maintaining democratic engagement amid economic turmoil. Despite the overwhelming support for Saied, the low turnout raises questions about public sentiment and the future of political participation in the country. Saied, who has been in power since 2019, is expected to continue his policies aimed at addressing the economic issues that have plagued Tunisia, but the path forward remains uncertain given the current climate.
