Islamists in the lead in Tunisia election
Source: Agencies |
October 25, 2011, Tuesday
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TUNISIAN authorities counted votes yesterday in carefully watched elections, with early signs that a once-banned Islamist party is leading in many constituencies in the country that helped trigger uprisings across the Arab world.
Tunisia was known for decades for its repressive leadership but also for its progressive legislation on women and families, which secular-leaning Tunisians fear the moderate Islamist party Ennahda will roll back if it takes a commanding number of seats in the new assembly.
Ennahda believes Islam should be the reference point for the country's system and laws but maintains it will respect women's rights and is committed to democracy and working with other parties.
Radio Mosaique FM posted results from polling stations around the country yesterday, with many showing a commanding lead for Ennahda. Officials results elsewhere said the pattern was being repeated across the country.
Election commission head Kamel Jendoubi said official results would be released this afternoon.
Turnout was huge for Tunisia's first free elections, with long lines at polling stations. More than 90 percent of the 4.1 million registered voters participated, according to election commission chief Boubker Bethabet.
Voters were electing a 217-seat assembly that will shape the fledgling democracy.
In a surprise second place in many constituencies was the Congress for the Republic party of human rights activist Moncef Marzouki, according to officials. He is known less for political beliefs than his criticism of the old regime's repression.
Tunisia was known for decades for its repressive leadership but also for its progressive legislation on women and families, which secular-leaning Tunisians fear the moderate Islamist party Ennahda will roll back if it takes a commanding number of seats in the new assembly.
Ennahda believes Islam should be the reference point for the country's system and laws but maintains it will respect women's rights and is committed to democracy and working with other parties.
Radio Mosaique FM posted results from polling stations around the country yesterday, with many showing a commanding lead for Ennahda. Officials results elsewhere said the pattern was being repeated across the country.
Election commission head Kamel Jendoubi said official results would be released this afternoon.
Turnout was huge for Tunisia's first free elections, with long lines at polling stations. More than 90 percent of the 4.1 million registered voters participated, according to election commission chief Boubker Bethabet.
Voters were electing a 217-seat assembly that will shape the fledgling democracy.
In a surprise second place in many constituencies was the Congress for the Republic party of human rights activist Moncef Marzouki, according to officials. He is known less for political beliefs than his criticism of the old regime's repression.
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