Civil society groups observing Tunisia’s legislative elections abroad have heavily criticized the Independent High Authority for Elections (French: ISIE) for voting irregularities. Just one day after the polling stations opened there were widespread complaints regarding access to polling stations and voters’ presence on voting lists. Tunisians living overseas started voting for the the country’s legislative elections on October 24 and will be voting until Sunday 26.
Tunisia’s Association for Integrity and Democratic Elections (French: ATIDE) released a statement on October 24 criticizing the inconsistencies that have arisen for voters abroad. Firas Boutara, the vice president of Atide, told Tunisia Live that “there are individuals who have registered to vote but their names are not present on the voter lists, there are polling stations that do not exist, and certain polling stations have been moved without warning voters or observers.”
With over 400 observers in 27 different countries, Atide has reported at least one irregularity in every country. In Bern, Switzerland, a candidate in the legislative race found that he was not registered on the voter lists. This raised questions as to how he was able to register as a candidate in the first place, since one has to be a registered voter to place their candidacy for the elections.
Some voters also reported that they have not been registered with the right polling stations. According to Mourakiboun, an independent organization observing the elections, at least 50 individuals in Germany found out that their names were registered with a polling station hundreds of kilometers away from where they had intended to vote. Voters have also reported being registered in the wrong countries. A trending video posted on facebook shows a man, who identifies himself as Ben Rajeb, claiming that although he registered to vote in Grenoble, France, ISIE registered him in Grombalia, Tunisia.
Mourakiboun also highlighted other irregularities such as activists from parties pressuring voters outside and even inside polling stations. The organization has also highlighted inconsistencies with polling stations’ operating times.
The chaotic start to Tunisia’s elections abroad questions the validity of the results and raises concerns about ISIE’s competence at managing elections in and out of the country. For Boutara, the reports coming back from his observers raise an important question. “We are left to wonder if the directors and workers in these polling stations are in fact neutral to the outcomes of the elections.”
Louia Bonhoure
Source:http://www.tunisia-live.net/2014/10/25/first-day-of-tunisian-elections-m...
