Tunisia – Mansri: 260 candidates for Council of Regions and Districts

The Independent High Authority for Elections (ISIE) has obtained 260 applications for the National Council of Regions and Districts, split into 242 applications for regional councils and 18 for local councils. This was confirmed by the official spokesperson of the ISIE, Mohamed Tlili Mansri, to TAP today, Saturday, March 23, 2024.

Mansri described that the review process of these applications is continuing, with 3 applications from the regional councils already denied. He reported that the initial list of applicants will be made public tomorrow.

He highlighted that the elections for the members of the National Council of Regions and Districts are planned for March 28, with April 1 set as the date for announcing the final composition of the Council.

The ISIE had formerly declared the candidacy period for the election of regional council members and their representation in the National Council of Regions and Districts to be from March 21 to 23, from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

According to Article 81 of the Constitution, the National Council of Regions and Districts comprises elected representatives from the regions and districts. Three members from each regional council are elected, including one representing their region on the National Council. These representatives are selected from the elected members of the regional councils within each region. Compensation for the region’s representative is determined as per the electoral law.

Article 84 of the Constitution mandates that projects related to the state budget and regional and national development plans must be presented to the Council to ensure equitable distribution among regions and districts. The finance law and development plans require approval by an absolute majority in both chambers.

The Council of Regions and Districts holds the authority to supervise and take responsibility for various matters regarding budget implementation and development plans. The law defines the relationship between the Assembly of People’s Representatives and the National Council of Regions and Districts.