Elections in Tunisia
Encyclopedia
Prior to the 2011 Tunisian revolution
, Elections in Tunisia were held every five to six years, and elected both the president
and members of both legislative branches to the national government of the Republic of Tunisia. Following the revolution, elections were held for a Constituent Assembly that will decide on a new constitution for Tunisia
.
in 1956.
(Majlis al-Nuwaab) is Tunisia’s lower Chamber. It has 189 seats and members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms. 20% of the seats are reserved for the opposition. The Chamber plays a role in debate on national policy but never originates legislation. Elections are held in the last 30 days of each five-year term. To be eligible for office, one must be a voter with a Tunisian mother or father and be at least 23 years.
Tunisia’s upper chamber, the Chamber of Councillors of Tunisia
, was created in July 2002 by Parliament. Its membership is restricted to two-thirds of the number of members in the Chamber of Deputies. Members are elected or appointed. One or two members (determined by size of population) are elected from each governance. These members are selected by local authorities. A third of the members are elected by a group of employers, farmers and workers. These seats are divided equally among the three groups. The remaining seats (41) are filled by qualified presidential appointees. All members sit for six-year terms and half of the membership is renewed every three years. To be eligible for office, a candidate must be a voter with a Tunisian mother or father and at least 40 years old.
Tunisian revolution
The Tunisian Revolution is an intensive campaign of civil resistance, including a series of street demonstrations taking place in Tunisia. The events began in December 2010 and led to the ousting of longtime President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali in January 2011...
, Elections in Tunisia were held every five to six years, and elected both the president
President of Tunisia
The President of Tunisia, formally known as the President of the Tunisian Republic is the head of state of Tunisia. Tunisia is a presidential republic in which the president is the head of the executive branch of government with the assistance of the Prime Minister of Tunisia, formally the head of...
and members of both legislative branches to the national government of the Republic of Tunisia. Following the revolution, elections were held for a Constituent Assembly that will decide on a new constitution for Tunisia
Constitution of Tunisia
The Constitution of Tunisia is the supreme law of the Tunisian Republic. The Constitution is the framework for the organization of the Tunisian government and for the relationship of the federal government with the governates, citizens, and all people within Tunisia...
.
Executive branch
Prior to the revolution, the President was elected to five-year terms with no term limit. He appointed a prime Minister and cabinet, who play a strong role in the execution of policy. Regional governors and local administrators are appointed by the central government. Mayors and municipal councils, which fill a local consultative role, are elected. This system was established by a provision of the country's Code of Personal Status, introduced by the former President Habib BourguibaHabib Bourguiba
Habib Bourguiba was a Tunisian statesman, the Founder and the first President of the Republic of Tunisia from July 25, 1957 until 7 November 1987...
in 1956.
Legislative branch
The Chamber of Deputies of TunisiaChamber of Deputies of Tunisia
The Chamber of Deputies is the lower chamber of the Parliament of Tunisia, the bicameral legislative branch of the government of Tunisia. It has 189 seats and members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms. 20% of the seats are reserved for the opposition. Elections are held in the...
(Majlis al-Nuwaab) is Tunisia’s lower Chamber. It has 189 seats and members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms. 20% of the seats are reserved for the opposition. The Chamber plays a role in debate on national policy but never originates legislation. Elections are held in the last 30 days of each five-year term. To be eligible for office, one must be a voter with a Tunisian mother or father and be at least 23 years.
Tunisia’s upper chamber, the Chamber of Councillors of Tunisia
Chamber of Councillors of Tunisia
The Chamber of Councillors is the upper house of the Parliament of Tunisia. It was created by a 2002 amendment to the Tunisian constitution. Members serve 6 year terms. By law, it has 2/3 the number of members as the Chamber of Deputies. The initial chamber, appointed in 2005, consists of 126...
, was created in July 2002 by Parliament. Its membership is restricted to two-thirds of the number of members in the Chamber of Deputies. Members are elected or appointed. One or two members (determined by size of population) are elected from each governance. These members are selected by local authorities. A third of the members are elected by a group of employers, farmers and workers. These seats are divided equally among the three groups. The remaining seats (41) are filled by qualified presidential appointees. All members sit for six-year terms and half of the membership is renewed every three years. To be eligible for office, a candidate must be a voter with a Tunisian mother or father and at least 40 years old.
External links
- Interview with Neila C. Hachicha: "Tunisia's Election Was Undemocratic at All Levels", Middle East Quarterly, a Tunisian politician explains obstacle to democracy in her homeland.
- Adam Carr's Election Archive