On Wednesday, Tunisia’s public prosecutor ordered the detention of presidential candidate Ayachi Zammel pending trial, a move critics view as part of President Kais Saied’s efforts to sideline rivals ahead of the October 6 election.
Zammel, who was arrested on Monday, faces allegations of falsifying popular endorsements. He is one of three candidates approved for the election alongside Saied and politician Zouhair Maghzaoui.
Zammel has vehemently denied the charges, claiming that his detention is a result of “restrictions and intimidation” due to his strong candidacy against Saied. His lawyer, Kais Oueslati, confirmed that Zammel will remain in custody until trial, though no trial date has been set.
This development follows a controversial decision by Tunisia’s electoral commission to ignore an administrative court ruling that would have reinstated three prominent candidates to the race.
Critics, including rights groups, political parties, and constitutional law experts, have denounced the move as unprecedented and questioned the legitimacy of the election process. They accuse Saied, who initially came to power in a 2019 democratic election and later consolidated power in 2021, of undermining democratic norms.
The official election campaign is scheduled to commence on September 14, with calls from Saied’s critics for other candidates to withdraw, alleging that the electoral commission’s actions are geared towards ensuring Saied’s re-election. The commission has defended its stance, asserting its neutrality and adherence to the law.
