Tunisia’s Presidential Electoral Campaign Begins

Tunisia’s presidential electoral campaign officially began on Monday and it will run until September 13.

26 candidates run for the post of the president within the first round of voting scheduled on Sept. 15.

1,200 employees were assigned by Tunisia's Independent Higher Authority for Elections (ISIE) to monitor the electoral campaigns.

The first round of the presidential election was scheduled on November 17, but due to the death of Tunisian President Beji Caid Essebsi on July 25, the ISIE decided to postpone it.

Candidates who stands for presidential election include:

Youssef Chahed

Many analysts expect that Prime Minister Youssef Chahed, 43, will run in the next presidential election. He would receive considerable support from several different political currents.

Chahed is the leader of the newly-formed party, Tahya Tounes “Long Live Tunisia”, which he founded recently after splitting from ruling Nidaa Tounes party, led by late President Beji Caid Essebsi.

Moncef Marzouki

One of the prominent candidates is former president Moncef Marzouki who took over as president of Tunisia in the wake of Jasmine Revolution in 2011, and continued in office until he was defeated by Essebsi in the run-off elections in 2014.

Marzouki had been elected by means of an interim constitutional assembly in 2011, following Ben Ali’s fall during popular uprisings.