Tunisia – Tunisian Electoral Commission announces readiness to hold referendum on new constitution.

Location: Tunis – Tunisia

Language: Arabic

Duration: 00:04:51

Sound: Natural

Source: A24 in Tunisia

Restrictions: A24 Subscribers

Date: 30/06/ 2022

Storyline:

The Tunisian Electoral Commission said Tunisian referendum campaign for a constitutional change will be held between 3-21 July.            

The announcement came in a press conference in Tunis, during which the Commission announced the completion of preparations for the referendum on a new constitution to be held on the 25^th of next month.

It added that the voting day for Tunisians residing abroad would be on July 1st.

The Commission President, Farouk Bouasker, told A24 News Agency that the authority is committed to ensuring freedom of expression and the right to participation or disagreement within bounds of law and regulation.

Mohamed Al-Tilili Al-Mansri,  a commission member, told A24 that the success of any election is the participation rate and the results being accepted by political and civil society sectors.

Nawfal Fakhfakh , a commission member, said the authority provided Facebook and Twitter with information on Tunisian electoral law and what is considered a crime according to Tunisian law.

Nearly a year since president Kais Saied  began amassing power, the July 25 referendum is widely expected to boost his authority, in what critics see as a march to one-man rule that has unpicked the democratic gains of Tunisia’s 2011 “Arab Spring” uprising.

Shotlist:

Soundbite (Faruk Buaskar – Head of the Electoral Commission):

“Every election needs organization, as there are procedures to follow. As part of the commission, the only matter of importance to me is the list we compiled yesterday of parties, associations and individuals who will participate, regardless of their vote. Tunisia is a democratic, pluralistic country with freedom of expression, freedom of thought, and freedom of press. The issue of a campaign by those averse to ‘yes or no voting’ is still being considered in cooperation with the Independent High Authority for Audiovisual Communication. Both bodies will announce a decision that should resolve this issue once and for all. We as a commission are committed to ensuring freedom of expression, right to participation, right to disagreement and pluralism, within bounds of law and regulation.”

Soundbite (Faruk Buaskar – Head of the Electoral Commission):

“The referendum campaign will start on July 3^rd in Tunisia, but voting day will start on July 1^st for Tunisians residing abroad. Surveillance over this campaign will be private unlike legislative, presidential and municipal elections, because participants will be mostly individuals and associations, not parties. Surveillance will be challenging for the commission regarding control over financing these people and protecting their right to access press media. Statements regarding the commission have been issued, but not statements regarding campaign financing procedures, which will be issued soon. Two statements of Independent High Authority for Audiovisual Communication to be issued. There is an issue of expenditure ceilings and financing constraints, a presidential decision is taken after referring to the commission.”

Soundbite (Mohamed Al-Tilili Al-Mansri – Member of the Electoral Commission):

“The success of any election is participation rate being taken into consideration rate and results being accepted by political and civil society sectors. We should ensure everyone be able to observe, monitor, and submit reports without exclusion or prevention. There is also judicial review of the administrative court that accepts the results, which ensures successful election.”

Soundbite (Nawfal Fakhfakh – Member of the Electoral Commission):

“We are coordinating with Facebook, and several other companies such as Twitter. We presented these companies with information on Tunisian electoral law and what is considered a crime according to Tunisian law.”

Soundbite (Faruk Buaskar – Head of the Electoral Commission):

“This campaign is not for electing a member of municipal council or Assembly of the People’s Representatives in a particular district for five years, nor is it for electing the President of Tunisia. The campaign is to vote for a constitution that will rule Tunisia for decades. This referendum is important and people have the right of choice regardless of their vote.”