Tunis: I Watch called in a statement on Tuesday the Independent High Authority for Elections (ISIE) to ‘comply with published legal texts and endeavour to facilitate the right to stand for election.’

The organisation called on the ISIE to publish the amended decision on the rules and procedures for candidacy in the presidential election after 12 days of its proclamation, especially as the Authority pointed out that this decision comes into force as soon as it is announced.

According to the statement, I Watch indicated that the addition of new rules ‘deviates from the authority’s previous commitments and ‘undermines the good electoral practice of not changing electoral rules a year before they are due to be held.’

The organisation also considered that the announcement by the ISIE to resort to criminal proceedings, in addition to the offences provided for in the electoral law, against anyone criticising the electoral process, and to monitor in advance the funding of potential candidates, parties and organisa
tions, constitutes ‘a restriction on participation in the elections.’

Source: Agence Tunis Afrique Presse