Thousands rally in Tunisia in run-up to presidential vote

Thousands of Tunisians have taken to the streets to protest against suppression of dissent and the exclusion of serious challengers in the North African country's upcoming presidential election.

The October 6 polls are pitting incumbent President Kais Saied against only two rivals, one of whom is in detention.

The electoral commission recently refused to reinstate three more presidential hopefuls who won court appeals to run for president.

Critics have accused the panel of lacking in independence and clearing the way for Saied to win a second term, accusations that the commission has denied.

Protesters converged on the centre of the capital Tunis on Friday evening decrying "authoritarianism."

Some demonstrators chanted, "No fear. No intimidation. Power is in people's hands."

Others chanted, "The people want the regime's fall," a slogan reminiscent of a 2010 uprising that ended long-time dictator Zine El Abidine Ben Ali's rule.

Some observers are sceptical that the upcoming vote will be held according to democratic rules.

"There are indications that really threaten to blow up the course of elections," said Ramadan Ben Omar from non-governmental think tank Tunisian Forum for Economic and Social Rights.

"The atmosphere and measures do not reflect a political will to hold free and honest elections," he told dpa.

The vote will take place against a backdrop of "increased repression of dissent, muzzling of the media and continued attacks on judicial independence," Human Rights Watch said earlier this month.

"Holding elections amid such repression makes a mockery of Tunisians' right to participate in free and fair elections," Bassam Khawaja, the watchdog's deputy director for Middle East and North Africa, said.

Since 2021, Saied has consolidated his power by dissolving the parliament and calling early elections, steps that the opposition has branded a "coup."

Saied also held a controversial constitutional referendum, which granted him wider powers.

Dozens have since been arrested, including opposition politicians and journalists, over alleged corruption and conspiracy against the state security.

Saied, who took office in 2019, has repeatedly defended his moves, saying they were in line with the constitution.

Once hailed as the sole democratic success story of the 2010-11 Arab Spring revolts, Tunisia has seen a significant decline in public confidence amid political turmoil and economic woes.