Tunisian general election, 2009
The presidential election in Tunisia in 2009 was held on 25 October 2009. At the same time also found to hold parliamentary elections in Tunisia. It was the last elections under the autocratic rule of Zine El Abidine Ben Ali.
Candidates
Requirement for a presidential candidacy was, among other things, that the candidate had at least 2 years to be chairman of his party.
, Admitted to choice Kandidanen were:
- Zine el- Abidine Ben Ali from the RCD
- Mohamed Bouchiha of the PUP
- Ahmed Inoubli of the UDU
- Ahmed Ibrahim of the Ettajdid
With regard to authorized opposition candidates were mainly more or less close ally of former President Ben Ali.
In August 2009, the candidate Nejib Chebbi of the PDP had already resigned in protest from the presidential race. Mustapha Ben Jaafar, the candidate of the FDTL had been denied admission to the election for technical reasons.
Election observation
The first, established in 2004 election monitoring body should mediate in disputes between government and opposition candidates. However, this was not considered completely independent.
The African Union sent an election observer team to Tunisia. The delegation was led by Benjamin Bounkoulou. This described the election as free and fair. A spokesman for the U.S. State Department criticized, however, that Tunisia does not allow any international election observers. In addition, there were reports of intimidation and ill-treatment of opposition candidates.
Official election results
President Zine el- Abidine Ben Ali from the Democratic Constitutional collection was confirmed with whole 89.62 % of the vote in office. This was his most worst election result since he had taken in previous elections always over 90%. Trailing far behind were the remaining three candidates. The second best result achieved Mohamed Bouchiha with 5.01%.
Criticism
The opposition criticized the fact that there was a lack of choice of freedom, integrity and transparency.