This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-29771109
The article has changed 9 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
Tunisia set for first poll under new constitution | Tunisia set for first poll under new constitution |
(about 3 hours later) | |
Tunisia is set to elect its first full parliament under a new constitution passed earlier this year. | Tunisia is set to elect its first full parliament under a new constitution passed earlier this year. |
The election is one of the final stages in the political transition which followed the ousting of authoritarian leader Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali in 2011. | The election is one of the final stages in the political transition which followed the ousting of authoritarian leader Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali in 2011. |
There are no opinion polls, but the moderate Islamist Ennahda party, which won Tunisia's last national election in 2011, is expected to do well. | There are no opinion polls, but the moderate Islamist Ennahda party, which won Tunisia's last national election in 2011, is expected to do well. |
Its main rival is likely to be the liberal Nidaa Tounes (Tunisia's Call). | Its main rival is likely to be the liberal Nidaa Tounes (Tunisia's Call). |
Most of the major parties have vowed to tackle Tunisia's high unemployment and to reinvigorate its economy. | Most of the major parties have vowed to tackle Tunisia's high unemployment and to reinvigorate its economy. |
Tunisia is seen as the birthplace of the "Arab Spring" - the pro-democracy movement which sought to replace autocratic governments in several Arab countries. | Tunisia is seen as the birthplace of the "Arab Spring" - the pro-democracy movement which sought to replace autocratic governments in several Arab countries. |
Tunisia is considered to have had the most successful outcome, with relatively low levels of violence. | Tunisia is considered to have had the most successful outcome, with relatively low levels of violence. |
However, radical groups within Tunisia have threatened to disrupt the elections and on Thursday militants shot a policeman on the outskirts of the capital, Tunis. | However, radical groups within Tunisia have threatened to disrupt the elections and on Thursday militants shot a policeman on the outskirts of the capital, Tunis. |
Unity deal promised | Unity deal promised |
More than 50,000 security personnel and nearly 20,000 soldiers are expected to be deployed on Sunday to ensure safe voting. | More than 50,000 security personnel and nearly 20,000 soldiers are expected to be deployed on Sunday to ensure safe voting. |
Around five million Tunisians have registered to vote, with overseas residents having already cast their votes on Friday. | Around five million Tunisians have registered to vote, with overseas residents having already cast their votes on Friday. |
Some observers fear a low turnout, arguing that voters have become disaffected with politics after a lack of economic progress in the years following Ben Ali's overthrow. | Some observers fear a low turnout, arguing that voters have become disaffected with politics after a lack of economic progress in the years following Ben Ali's overthrow. |
Results are expected on Wednesday. Ennahda, which currently rules in coalition with other parties, has promised to pursue a unity government even if it wins the most seats. | Results are expected on Wednesday. Ennahda, which currently rules in coalition with other parties, has promised to pursue a unity government even if it wins the most seats. |
Tunisia is set to hold a presidential election on 23 November, which will deliver the country's first directly elected leader following the ousting of Ben Ali in street protests almost four years ago. | Tunisia is set to hold a presidential election on 23 November, which will deliver the country's first directly elected leader following the ousting of Ben Ali in street protests almost four years ago. |
The protests, which began in the Tunisian town of Sidi Bouzid in late 2010, later gathered pace and spread across much of the Arab world the following year. | The protests, which began in the Tunisian town of Sidi Bouzid in late 2010, later gathered pace and spread across much of the Arab world the following year. |
Are you in Tunisia? What changes will full parliamentary elections bring? You can email your experiences to haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk. |