Legislative election results

Presidential election results

1999

2004

2009

Introduction

As expected, the Constitutional Democratic Rally (RCD) candidate and incumbent President, Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, won a landslide victory with 89,62% of the vote, thus securing himself a fifth consecutive term in office. Despite the figure decreasing by almost 5% since 2004, Ben Ali still retains a commanding majority of electoral support. The RCD achieved 161 seats in the extended Legislature, containing 214 seats as opposed to 189 seats in previous elections. Further, the RCD was able to win an absolute majority in all constituencies, thus cementing the party's dominance on the county's political landscape.

Competing parties' support remained relatively stable fluctuating between one or two seats in the Legislature. One of the most notable gainers in the election was the Socialist Liberal Party (PLS), who increased their seat number from two in 2004 to eight in the most recent poll. The Green Party for Progress faired well winning six seats in the parliamentary election. Despite the RCD's domination of the election, the process can also be seen as successful for the opposition which achieved a combined total of 53 seats between opposition parties. This accounts for an unprecedented quarter of the total parliamentary seats being allocated to the opposition. Analysts have called the feat a milestone for democracy in the North African country.

Election turnout was good, with a rate of 89,45% and 89,40% of registered voters for the presidential and legislative polls respectively. There were no reported incidents of violence at polling stations as the election process took place in a generally peaceful environment.

Atmosphere of Repression

Despite no immediate incidents being reported during the election, certain human rights groups have raised concerns over the validity of the election as a free and fair process. According to Human Rights Watch, "Repressive acts and tight controls on the election process have tainted the prospects for free and fair presidential and legislative elections in the country". The most glaring of these controls is that of the tight regulation of the media, which has undermined and curtailed press freedoms. Through its monopoly of the media and press, the State strictly monitors and regulates information in the country. Certain parties have criticised the manipulation of the media by the State in the way that priority is given to the RCD party. An example of this is how the RCD advertisements and campaign messages dominate prime time slots on local radio and TV stations, while opposition parties are often cut short or shifted to alternative time slots. Ben Ali claims that his additional air time exposure is accorded to him as President, and not as a party presidential candidate.

The second is that of certain tailor-made laws that have prevented candidates from the stronger opposition parties from running for the position of president. Amendments to the constitution that Ben Ali has made during his presidency include, increasing the term limit of presidency, as well as increasing the maximum age limit for presidents from 70 to 75. Ben Ali has also imposed stringent eligibility conditions for presidential candidates, such as them needing to obtain the recommendation of at least 30 members of parliament or mayors. This is a tough task for opposition parties considering the ruling party's large majority in the Legislature. Further, prospective candidates must have served as leader of a recognised political party for at least two years to be eligible to run for president. Subsequently only four candidates qualified to run for presidency, including Ben Ali.

Future Challenges

Prior to the October elections, Ben Ali promised to expand democracy and reduce unemployment if re-elected. Subsequently, Ben Ali now faces the challenges of upholding his promises to the Tunisian people. In the current economic climate this, however, may prove to be a difficult task, with rising unemployment and a global slowdown in trading activity.

Ben Ali has also set his sights on applying for "advance status" to the European Union (EU), which would give the country preferential trade terms and also boost it's international image. Advanced status countries are recognised as having democratic and transparent policies and are considered EU partner States (not members) that share the same economic ideals. To be considered by the EU for advanced status, countries need to be politically, socially and economically liberal in the eyes of the organisation. The Tunisian State's intolerance of dissent and its curtailing of media and press freedom could therefore deter the EU in considering Tunisia as a viable candidate for advanced status.

Restructuring certain policies to accommodate a free press and media in order to promote democracy remains a major challenge for the ruling RCD. Electoral reforms, such as the stringent qualification controls for presidential candidates need to be reassessed in order for Tunisia to have a hope of entering a partnership with the EU.

Main Sources

BBC - Tunisia's image belies poll control (October 26, 2009).
Constitutional Democratic Rally - Presidential and Legislative Elections in Tunisia - 2009 (October 26, 2009).
Human Rights Watch - Tunisia: Elections in an Atmosphere of Repression (October 23, 2009).
Magharebia - Tunisia opposition wins one quarter of Parliament seats (October 27, 2009).
Polity - Tunisian President wins fifth term in office (October 26, 2009).
Polity - President set for re-election as Tunisians vote (October 25, 2009).
Polity - Tunisian President in landslide election victory (October 26, 2009).

Polity - Tunisia's President on course to win re-election (October 22, 2009).

Polity - Tunisian leader promises democracy, jobs if re-elected (October 12, 2009).
Reuters - Tunisian president wins fifth term in office (October 26, 2009).