Tunisia’s Election Body Denies Accreditation to Observer Groups, Raising Concerns About Free, Fair Vote

The Independent High Authority for Elections (ISIE) in Tunisia has sparked controversy by denying accreditation to several election observer groups, raising concerns about the upcoming presidential election scheduled for October 6, The Associated Press reports.

The ISIE claims these groups received “suspicious” foreign funding, but critics see the move as an attempt to stifle independent oversight and ensure a win for President Kais Saied.

The ISIE statement alleged that some civil society groups seeking accreditation received a “huge amount” of foreign funding from unknown sources, raising red flags about their motives. While the statement did not explicitly name the groups, a commission member revealed that allegations against two organizations, I-Watch and Mourakiboun, had been sent to the public prosecutor. These organizations have been vocal critics of Saied’s governance and have been targeted by authorities before.

The decision to deny accreditation has drawn ire from both the targeted groups and international observers, who see it as a sign of the government’s increasing crackdown on civil society and democratic principles. In recent months, NGOs in Tunisia have faced growing pressure under Saied, with accusations of foreign interference and disruptive motives becoming increasingly common.

The move further escalated tensions around election, which has already been marred by controversies. Critics have accused the ISIE of lacking independence and acting on behalf of the president, citing the recent dismissal of a court order to reinstate three barred candidates.