More than 1,400 candidates to contest in upcoming Tunisian elections

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Tunisia's parliamentary elections that has been scheduled for December 17th will include over 1,400 candidates, according to Tunisia's election commission.

Thursday, as per the head of the Independent High Authority for Elections Faroukh Bouasker, was the last day to apply for elections candidacy.

Given the current numbers, the representation of women, says Bouasker, rests at 15%.

The final list of candidates, however, will be revealed on November 2 following the legal vetting process.

Earlier in September, Tunisian President Kais Saied issued a new electoral law stipulating that people vote for individuals rather than lists for parties as in previous elections, according to media reports.

Furthermore, the amended law reduced parliamentary seats to 161, after they were 217, noting that there will be 10 seats representing Tunisian expatriates.

It is noteworthy that the Tunisian National Salvation Front announced, a few days ago, its final decision to boycott the upcoming elections. The Head of the Front, Ahmed Najib Al-Shabi, attributed the reasons for this boycott to what he considered to be Kais Saied once again drafting the electoral law by himself, as he did in the constitution, and not disclosing its content, only about 10 days before the final date of its issuance.

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