Tunisian general election, 1999
The presidential elections in Tunisia took place in 1999 on 24 October 1999, was the first general elections of President of the Republic of Tunisia, in which more than one candidate was on the ballot. Nevertheless, it was obvious to sham elections whose outcome had little significance for the actual support of the victorious candidates Zine el- Abidine Ben Ali in the population.
Selection of candidates
An Amendment to the Constitution advanced in these elections the circle of possible candidates, which was until then limited de facto to members of the ruling party, Rassemblement constitutionnel démocratique. Now also president of the opposition parties were allowed to compete unless they led their party for at least five years and that party had at least one member in Parliament. In addition, other conditions were based on, for example, the age of candidates. The thus handpicked candidates did not have any notable supporters in the country. Both candidates, who came under the circumstances in question and actually competed for election, were close allies of Ben Ali and therefore no political alternative.