Tunisian presidential candidate Ayachi Zammel has been sentenced to 20 months in prison, a move that has heightened opposition concerns about the fairness of the upcoming election. Zammel, leader of the opposition Azimoun Party, was charged with falsifying voter signatures, which he denies. He alleges that the charges are politically motivated by the incumbent President Kais Saied, who is seeking reelection. The October 6 election has been marred by the disqualification and imprisonment of several prominent candidates, raising questions about its legitimacy. Rights groups and legal experts have protested the disqualifications, viewing it as an unprecedented step that undermines the election’s credibility. Critics accuse Saied, who has ruled by decree since 2021, of stifling competition and manipulating the electoral process to maintain power.
SOURCE: MIDDLE EAST MONITOR
