Tunisia: 2nd Democratic Presidential Election today

Tunisia the birthplace of “Arab Spring uprisings” is holding its second democratic presidential poll since the 2011 uprising which toppled former President Ben Ali.

The elections are being held after the death of “BejiCaid Essebsi” in july this year – who was Tunisia’s  first democratically elected President, having taken over the office in 2014.

The election was initially contested by 26 of which two are women – but the last minute withdrawal by two male candidates limited the total contestants to 24.

Candidates must secure 50 percent of the vote to win today, but if no single candidate obtains a majority, the two candidates with the most votes will proceed to a second – final round.

Essebsi 92 the oldest sitting president at the time of his death – who had won Tunisia’s first free presidential elections in 2014 was successful in bringing partial peace and stability to the country.

Tunisia’s Parliament Speaker Mohamed Ennaceur is currently acting as interim president.

Tunisian constitution gives powers of control over defence, foreign policy and national security to its President.

For the rest of portfolios the Prime Minister chosen by parliament has the authority.

Parliamentary elections are scheduled to take place in October.

Tunisian presidential elections are viewed as a test of one of the world’s youngest democracies and keenly watched by the world.