Tunisia- Beji Caid Essebsi did not promulgate new electoral law amendments

President Beji Caid Essebsi did not promulgate nor cordially approve Tunisia’s recent electoral law amendments. The Independent High Authority for Elections has issued directions to all of its subsidiaries to implement and aby by the 2017 electoral law in case Essebsi does not authorise or approve the recent ratified electoral law.

According to Noureddine Ben Ticha, political advisor to the president “The president did not promulgate the law because he rejects the logic of exclusion and refuses to sign amendments relative to the size of certain parties,”
Ben Ticha emphasised that the president remain the leading guarantor to the constitution”.

Earlier, the ARP has collectively approved revisions to the electoral law. The prepared draft was promptly approved with 128 votes, 30 apparent rejections and 14 abstentions. The recent amendment carefully excluded any Applicants who have acquired external funding, possess an illegal record or have infringed timidities outlawing speech that contradicts democratic laws and constitutional principles.