Tunisia's electoral commission accepts just three candidates for presidential election

Tunisia's electoral commission has approved only three candidates for the October 6 presidential election: incumbent Kais Saied, Zouhair Magzhaoui, and Ayachi Zammel.

The commission rejected 14 others, citing insufficient citizen endorsements.

Prominent figures accused the authorities of manipulating the process to ensure Saied's re-election, alleging that the interior ministry failed to provide necessary criminal record details required for candidacy.

Opposition groups claim these moves echo pre-2011 dictatorship practices.

Saied, who dissolved parliament and assumed full control in 2021, faces ongoing criticism for his consolidation of power.