Tunisia Holding 1st Post-Revolt Local Polls On Dec. 17
Local Editor
Tunisia is to hold municipal polls on Dec. 17, the country's first since its 2011 revolution, the electoral commission announced Monday.
After legislative and presidential votes in 2014, on the back of the adoption of a new constitution, local polls aim to complete the process of democratization following the revolution that toppled longtime dictator Zine El Abidine Ben Ali.
The date of December 17 was agreed in consultations with the government, political parties and civil society groups, the president of Tunisia's electoral body, Chafik Sarsar, told a news conference.
After Sarsar initially proposed November 26, some parties had suggested March 2018, but the elections chief warned a long delay would be "a bad sign for Tunisia" and signal "an incapacity to move forward with the democratic transition".
Progress within parliament was initially held up by debate over a new electoral law which was finally adopted in January.
The law allows members of the security forces and army, amounting to around 130,000 people, to take part in municipal elections as well as regional polls to be held at a later date.
Source: News Agencies, Edited by website team
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