2011 Tunisian Constituent Assembly election

none January 2020 Tunisia parliamentary 2009 Tunisian general election 2009 2011 10 23 yes Tunisian parliamentary election, 2014 2014 All 217 seats in the Constituent Assembly 109 49.41% 130x130px Rached Ghannouchi Ennahda Movement 89 1,498,905 36.97% 130x130px Moncef Marzouki Congress for the Republic 29 352,825 8.70% 130x130px Mohamed Hechmi Hamdi Popular Petition 26 280,382 6.92% 130x130px Mustapha Ben Jafar Democratic Forum for Labour and Liberties 20 285,530 7.04% 130x130px Maya Jribihttps://www.washingtonpost.com/world/africa/early-signs-in-tunisian-elections-point-to-strong-islamist-showing/2011/10/24/gIQALejhBM_story_1.html Tunisian Islamist party claims election victory, set to dominate writing of new constitution Washingtonpost.com 28 October 2011 June 2021 medicmedic PDP 16 160,692 3.96% Prime Minister Béji Caïd Essebsi Independent (politician) Hamadi Jebali Ennahda Movement An election for a constituent assembly in Tunisia was announced on 3 March 2011Tunisia to elect constituent assembly on 24 July, says president https://web.archive.org/web/20131102203954/http://www.focus-fen.net/index.php?id=n243650 2 November 2013 FOCUS Information Agency, 3 March 2011 and held on 23 October 2011,https://www.reuters.com/article/us-tunisia-election-idUSTRE7571R020110608 Tunisia election delayed until October 23 Amara Tarek 8 June 2011 8 June 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20190322050745/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-tunisia-election/tunisia-election-delayed-until-october-23-idUSTRE7571R020110608 22 March 2019 live Reuters following the Tunisian revolution, a part of the Arab Spring uprisings. The Assembly had 217 members.Significant increase in people registering to vote in Tunisia http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/xinhua/2011-08-04/content_3395476.html China Daily Xinhua News Agency 4 August 2011 18 August 2011 July 2018 InternetArchiveBot no It was the first free election held in Tunisia since the country's independence in 1956, as well as the first election in the Arab world after the start of the Arab Spring.http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2011/10/24/2717697/tunisians-vote-in-first-free-election.html Tunisians vote in first free election 23 March 2011 The Charlotte Observer 24 October 2011 https://archive.today/20120730005017/http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2011/10/24/2717697/tunisians-vote-in-first-free-election.html 30 July 2012 dead Associated Press The result was announced after counting began on 25 October 2011,Bradley, Allan http://www.tunisia-live.net/2011/10/23/tunisian-elections-live-updates/ Tunisian Elections – Live Updates Tunisia Live 23 October 2011 25 October 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20111026222911/http://www.tunisia-live.net/2011/10/23/tunisian-elections-live-updates/ 26 October 2011 dead and Ennahda won a plurality of votes. Background Tunisian revolution October 2011 The dictatorship of Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, which started in 1987, ended in January 2011 with Ban-Ali fleeing to Saudi Arabia and his regime crumbling.Oxford Handbook of Electoral Systems, p. 99 A committee was formed to set the electoral rules for the country's first fair election. It consisted of leaders of political parties, labor unions and civil society organizations, chosen by improvisation. The committee chose closed list proportional representation, using the Hare quota and the largest remainder method, and set other rules. Within a few years, knowledge of which committee members favored the chosen system or alternatives and why was lost, except a vague recollection that the system was chosen as being inclusive to less-popular groups. Hare, being larger than Droop, means that more-popular parties get fewer seats than smaller quotas such as Droop. The relatively large district magnitude, a number of districts having five to ten seats, means that less-popular groups also have more of a chance.Oxford Handbook of Electoral Systems, p. 99 Senior party members of the disbanded former ruling party, the Constitutional Democratic Rally(RCD), were banned from standing in the election if they had been active in politics within the last ten years. Originally, the ban would have applied to all former senior party members (spanning 23 years instead of 10), but this was revised after protests by former RCD members.https://www.voanews.com/a/tunisia-revises-voting-ban-on-former-ruling-party-120723664/157977.html Tunisia Revises Voting Ban on Former Ruling Party 26 April 2011 23 October 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20181116140228/https://www.voanews.com/a/tunisia-revises-voting-ban-on-former-ruling-party-120723664/157977.html 16 November 2018 live Voice of America The election campaign officially started on 1 October 2011 and continued until 20 October, 24 hours before polling. The election was held on 23 October 2011 and was the first competitive national election following the fall of the Ben Ali regime. Approximately 4.3 million of the estimated 8.2 million eligible voters participated. More than 11,000 candidates contested the 217 seats, and the election produced a fragmented assembly in which Ennahda won the largest number of seats, with 89.Timeline: Tunisian elections https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2011/10/27/timeline-tunisian-elections 2026-09-07 Al Jazeera en Electoral system The voting system allocated seats through proportional representation within various multi-member districts on closed lists based on thresholds set as the quotient of votes cast divided by seats contested. Districts elected from one to ten members, with most electing five to ten.Oxford Handbook of Electoral Systems, p. 99 Party lists were required to alternate between male and female candidates.Tucker, Joshua http://themonkeycage.org/blog/2011/10/20/tunisia-pre-election-report-hope-and-angst-in-tunisia%e2%80%99s-elections/ Tunisia Pre-Election Report: Hope and Angst in Tunisia's Elections The Monkey Cage 20 October 2011 25 October 2011 Domestic districts Each member represented a district with approximately 60,000 inhabitants, in a country of 10.5 million. Each governorate of Tunisia was allocated a number of members based on population, with most governorates having just one district. The three largest governorates by population --Tunis, Sfax, and Nabeul, -- were given more than ten members so were each split into two electoral districts. Districts within Tunisia ranged in size from four to ten seats.Gamha, Eymen http://www.tunisia-live.net/2011/08/08/faqs-on-the-constitutional-elections/ FAQs on the Constituent Assembly Elections Tunisia Live 8 August 2011 25 October 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20111017192219/http://www.tunisia-live.net/2011/08/08/faqs-on-the-constitutional-elections/ 17 October 2011 dead International districts Eighteen of the 217 constituent assembly members represented Tunisians abroad. Almost a million Tunisians live abroad, with up to 500,000 Tunisians in France.http://www.gulf-daily-news.com/NewsDetails.aspx?storyid=315892 Expat Tunisians cast votes 21 October 2011 Gulf Daily News https://web.archive.org/web/20111021163216/http://www.gulf-daily-news.com/NewsDetails.aspx?storyid=315892 21 October 2011 dead 25 October 2011 Polling for expatriate Tunisians took place in 80 countries around the world. Six districts were organized -- France, Tunisia's former colonial ruler, elected ten representatives; Italy three; Germany one; North America and the rest of Europe two; and other Arab states two.https://www.theguardian.com/world/2011/oct/20/tunisian-elections-2011-tunisia3 Tunisians abroad vote 'with hands trembling and tears flowing' Davies Lizzy 20 October 2011 The Guardian 25 October 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20170816022500/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2011/oct/20/tunisian-elections-2011-tunisia3 16 August 2017 live London Around 60,000 Tunisians living in Germany were eligible to vote. In Canada, where around 16,000 Tunisians live, voting took place at the Tunisian embassy in Ottawa, Ontario and the consulate in Montreal, Quebec. In the United States, where an estimated 14,500 Tunisian citizens live, polling took place in Washington, D.C., New York City, Miami, Houston, San Francisco, and Los Angeles.https://allafrica.com/stories/201110220053.html Tunisia: Citizens in U.S. Vote in Their Country's Historic Elections Kaufman Stephen 21 October 2011 allAfrica.com https://web.archive.org/web/20111023141706/http://allafrica.com/stories/201110220053.html 23 October 2011 live 25 October 2011 The United Kingdom contained 4,700 potential voters, and voting took place in Birmingham, Edinburgh, London and Manchester. Parties thumb|Press conference of the High and Independent Instance for the Elections in Tunisia, with Kamel Jendoubi (center) The largest and most organised party was the center-right and moderately Islamist Ennahda. Its platform included economic liberalism, as well as allowing Islam to have a greater presence in public life.https://foreignpolicy.com/2011/06/29/tunisias-new-al-nahda/ Tunisia's New al-Nahda Lynch Marc 29 June 2011 Foreign Policy 23 October 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20171019231449/https://foreignpolicy.com/2011/06/29/tunisias-new-al-nahda/ 19 October 2017 live Its leader Rachid Ghannouchi did not run in the election saying that he had no ambitions to be in government. Instead, General Secretary Hamadi Jebali ran as the prime ministerial candidate.https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-15466926 BBC News – Tunisia Islamists to form new government within a month BBC 19 October 2011 28 October 2011 The Congress for the Republic (CPR), centered around secularism and intellectual freedom. Ettakatol or FDTL, a secular social democratic party. Most of its support came from social media and grassroots volunteers. Al Aridha, the Popular Petition for Freedom, Justice and Development, a populist party. The Progressive Democratic Party (PDP) a secular, socially liberal, and economically centrist party, with leanings towards a mixed economy. Like Ennahda, it was well-funded and was able to run a nationwide campaign. The party benefitted from the support of the business community.Financing Questions Shadow Tunisian Vote, First of Arab Spring David D. Kirkpatrick https://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/23/world/africa/tunisia-election-faces-financing-questions.html?_r=1 The New York Times 22 October 2011 23 October 2011Angelique Chrisafis Tunisian elections: the key parties The Guardian 19 October 2011 https://www.theguardian.com/world/2011/oct/19/tunisia-elections-the-key-parties 24 October 2011 London The Al-Watan Party and The Initiative (Moubadara) emerged from the dissolved and banned Constitutional Democratic Rally (RCD) and represented key figures of the ousted Ben Ali regime. The Democratic Modernist Pole, a coalition led by the Ettajdid Movement, which is primarily focused on implementing political change. It is strongly anti-Islamist. Support for the coalition has dwindled due to infighting and an increase in support for other secular parties. Afek Tounes, a liberal center-right party with focus on secularism and civil liberties. A number of communist parties, by far the largest of which is the trade union-centered Tunisian Workers' Communist Party. Although they had only limited support, they were well organized and expected to win seats. A number of these far-left parties were centered around human rights and anti-globalisation.July 2026 Issues Secularism vs Islamism The primary topic of discussion during the campaign was the role of secularism and Islam in public life. The repression of Islamists goes back to the days of Habib Bourguiba.The battle for Tunisia's identity Nouri Gana https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2011/oct/22/tunisia-tunisian-elections-2011 The Guardian 22 October 2011 23 October 2011 London After the fall of the Ben Ali government, the ban on the hijab in public institutions was lifted. Though Ennahda sought to establish an Islamic democracy guaranteeing civil freedoms and equality, some secularistsOctober 2011 claimed that the party would endanger civil rights if it came to power. Secularists were also alarmed at violent protests by religious conservatives against the broadcast of the film Persepolis (which depicted God, something considered blasphemous in Islam) by Nessma TV. Ennahda condemned the violence, but maintained that the film had "touched everything that is sacred for Tunisians".Tunisia vote could shape religion in public life http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-tunisia-arab-spring-20111023,0,2857161.story Los Angeles Times 22 October 2011 Jeffrey Fleishman Alexandra Sandels Campaign finances Another major issue was the role of campaign finances. The PDP alleged that Ennahda ran their campaign unfairly because, they claim, Ennahda received money from Gulf billionaires. However, Ennahda denied the claims and asserted that they simply used their money efficiently and fundraised more effectively due to having greater support. They pointed out that their moderate policies had alienated many people in the Gulf, who believed in radical Salafist and Wahhabi ideas. Others alleged that the pro-business PDP and smaller UPL (founded by a Libyan businessman born in Tunisia) had themselves received unfair funding, as they had the support of the rich native business community. Form of government As the Constituent Assembly had to decide on a new constitution for Tunisia, the contenders presented different proposals for the configuration of the new democratic system. The Ennahda Movement envisioned a parliamentary model with a strong prime minister, inspired by the United Kingdom or Germany.Tunisia's election: The Islamist conundrum https://www.economist.com/middle-east-and-africa/2011/10/22/the-islamist-conundrum The Economist 22 October 2011 23 October 2011 Conversely, at least the PDPProgressive Democratic Party – Parti Democratique Progressiste – الحزب الدّيموقراطي التقدّمي http://www.tunisia-live.net/2011/10/09/parti-democratique-progressiste-%d8%a7%d9%84%d8%ad%d8%b2%d8%a8-%d8%a7%d9%84%d8%af%d9%91%d9%8a%d9%85%d9%88%d9%82%d8%b1%d8%a7%d8%b7%d9%8a-%d8%a7%d9%84%d8%aa%d9%82%d8%af%d9%91%d9%85%d9%8a/ tunisia-live.net 9 October 2011 23 October 2011 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20111022151826/http://www.tunisia-live.net/2011/10/09/parti-democratique-progressiste-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AD%D8%B2%D8%A8-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AF%D9%91%D9%8A%D9%85%D9%88%D9%82%D8%B1%D8%A7%D8%B7%D9%8A-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AA%D9%82%D8%AF%D9%91%D9%85%D9%8A/ 22 October 2011 and the CPRCongress for the Republic – Congres Pour la Republique – المؤتمر من اجل الجمهورية http://www.tunisia-live.net/2011/09/27/party-profile-congres-pour-la-republique/ tunisia-live.net 27 September 2011 23 October 2011 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20111010083807/http://www.tunisia-live.net/2011/09/27/party-profile-congres-pour-la-republique/ 10 October 2011 favoured a French-style semi-presidential republic. Observers There were more than 10,000 domestic and 500 international observers for the election, some members of delegations from the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, the European Union and the Carter Center.http://www.voanews.com/policy/editorials/Tunisia-Takes-A-Giant-Step-Forward-132703133.html https://archive.today/20120918101225/http://www.voanews.com/policy/editorials/Tunisia-Takes-A-Giant-Step-Forward-132703133.html dead 18 September 2012 Tunisia Takes A Giant Step Forward Voice of America 28 October 2011 Polls Opinion polls showed that a large part of the population had not chosen for whom to vote. Ennahda was consistently placed first, followed by the Progressive Democratic Party, the Democratic Forum for Labour and Liberties and the Congress for the Republic. In general, parties founded before the revolution scored better than post-revolutionary parties.Sondage Sigma : Ennahdha, le PDP et Ettakatol en tête et 57% des Tunisiens sont pour un référendum http://www.businessnews.com.tn/Sondage-Sigma--Ennahdha,-le-PDP-et-Ettakatol-en-t%C3%AAte-et-57-des-Tunisiens-sont-pour-un-r%C3%A9f%C3%A9rendum,520,26530,1#? businessnews.com.tn fr 10 September 2011 23 October 2011 In a poll partly sponsored by Al Jazeera, 47% of the respondents said they strongly identified with Islamism, 19% with Arab nationalism and 19% with liberalism. Only 6% felt strongly in favour of communism or socialism, respectively.Tunisians undecided ahead of October vote http://english.aljazeera.net/news/africa/2011/07/20117617715460755.html Al Jazeera English 6 July 2011 23 October 2011 A poll released by Sigma on 10 September showed that 57% of respondents agreed with a referendum that could set a limit on the duration of the Assembly's mandate, while 18.6% were against; 24.3% did not know. Although polling results varied from source to source, it was generally believed Ennahda would do well.Tunisian Islamists to do well in first "Arab Spring" vote Andrew Hammond Tarek Amara https://www.reuters.com/article/us-tunisia-election-idUSTRE79L28820111022 Reuters 22 October 2011 23 October 2011 Most previously undecided voters shifted towards the secular, center-left parties while Ennahda support remained steady. After early September, polls showed a close race between Ennahda and a potential coalition of secular parties. Poll source Date(s) administered Sample size Afek Alwatan CPR Ennahda Ettajdid/ PDM Ettakatol Initiative MDS PCOT PDP UPL None ANSAmedTunisia: Political Parties, Unknown to 61% of Tunisians http://www.ansamed.info/en/news/ME.XEF02959.html Ansa Mediterranean 9 March 2011 23 October 2011 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20110721185910/http://www.ansamed.info/en/news/ME.XEF02959.html 21 July 2011 5 March 2011 1,021 – – – 29% 7.5% – – – – 12.3% – 61% Al Jazeera 28 May – 2 June 2011 1,244 – – – 21.0% – – – – 5.0% 8.0% – 54% Emrhod85% of Tunisians are Willing to Cast their Votes http://www.tunisia-live.net/2011/06/09/88-of-tunisians-are-willing-to-cast-their-votes/ tunisia-live.net 9 June 2011 23 October 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20120309204406/http://www.tunisia-live.net/2011/06/09/88-of-tunisians-are-willing-to-cast-their-votes/ 9 March 2012 dead 8 June 2011 1,000 – – 7.3% 45.8% 11.1% – – – 12.5% 20.3% – 51% SigmaSondage : les Tunisiens méfiants mais optimistes http://tempsreel.nouvelobs.com/monde/20110614.OBS5103/sondage-les-tunisiens-mefiants-mais-optimistes.html tempsreel.nouvelobs.com fr 14 June 2011 23 October 2011 10 June 2011 1,014 0.9% 3.1% 3.0% 16.9% 1.0% 3.5% 0.4% – 1.5% 9.5% – 59.7% 3C ÉtudesIslamisten führen in Umfragen derStandard.at, 7 July 2011 7 July 2011 ? – – – 14.3% – 1.6% – – 0.8% 4.7% – 67% ISTISSondage TAP : partis, gouvernement, média encore beaucoup d'incertitudes http://www.ajidoo.com/actualites/divers/sondage-tap-partis-gouvernement-media-encore-beaucoup-dincertitudes.htm ajidoo.com fr 3 September 2011 23 October 2011 dead https://archive.today/20120728205543/http://www.ajidoo.com/actualites/divers/sondage-tap-partis-gouvernement-media-encore-beaucoup-dincertitudes.htm 28 July 2012 28 August 2011 2,717 0.82% 1.62% 1.26% 22.82% 1.37% 5.93% 1.09% 3.14% 2.28% 8.66% 0.83% – Sigma 10 September 2011 2,513 0.7% 3.1% 4.5% 22.8% 1.3% 9.2% 3.1% – 0.8% 10.9% 1.7% 40% HSSPerception de la transition démocratique en Tunisie, September 2011, Hanns Seidel Foundation (www.hss.de). Retrieved on 22 October 2011. 22–24 Sep 2011 1,035 3% 3% 8% 25% 2% 14% 3% – 3% 16% 3% 21% Controversies Date of election On 8 May 2011, interim prime minister Béji Caïd Essebsi voiced concerns that the election might have to be delayed.Tunisia PM raises doubt over July elections https://muscatdaily.com/Archive/Stories-Files/Tunisia-PM-raises-doubt-over-July-elections Muscat Daily AFP 9 May 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20190530183253/https://muscatdaily.com/Archive/Stories-Files/Tunisia-PM-raises-doubt-over-July-elections 30 May 2019 live 23 October 2011https://www.reuters.com/article/us-tunisia-protests/tunisian-pm-raises-possibility-of-vote-delay-idUSTRE74717U20110508 Tunisian PM raises possibility of vote delay Amara Tarek 8 May 2011 30 May 2019 https://web.archive.org/web/20190530190725/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-tunisia-protests/tunisian-pm-raises-possibility-of-vote-delay-idUSTRE74717U20110508 30 May 2019 live Reuters However, on 18 May 2011, the PM affirmed the election date would be adhered to.http://english.people.com.cn/90001/90777/90855/7384835.html Government to stick to July 24 election date: Tunisian PM 19 May 2011 People's Daily Online 23 October 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20181116013617/http://en.people.cn/90001/90777/90855/7384835.html 16 November 2018 live Xinhua News Agency On 22 May 2011, the head of the country's independent electoral body Kamel Jendoubi suggested a delay to 16 October 2011, but this was rejected by the government, and few of the political parties running in the election were in favour of the postponement.http://english.people.com.cn/90001/90777/90855/7390282.html Tunisian interim government maintains initial election date 25 May 2011 People's Daily Online 23 October 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20171006212036/http://en.people.cn/90001/90777/90855/7390282.html 6 October 2017 live Xinhua News Agency Jendoubi insisted on the delay, stating that he needed more time to prepare electoral lists and renew over 400,000 old identity cards, but the final decision would rest with the interim president.http://english.people.com.cn/90001/90777/90855/7393485.html Tunisian electoral body upholds October 16 election date 27 May 2011 People's Daily Online 23 October 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20171006211956/http://en.people.cn/90001/90777/90855/7393485.html 6 October 2017 live Xinhua News Agency The delay proved to be a controversial issue, with the Ennahda Movement withdrawing from the National Council for the Safeguarding of the Revolution until the election date issue was resolved.https://www.ft.com/content/744473ac-8ba0-11e0-a725-00144feab49a Key Tunisian party pulls out of election talks Byrne Eileen 31 May 2011 Financial Times https://web.archive.org/web/20110605103506/http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/744473ac-8ba0-11e0-a725-00144feab49a.html 5 June 2011 live The election, originally scheduled for 24 July 2011, was finally postponed to 23 October 2011 on 8 June 2011.https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-13702372 Tunisia's interim government delays election 8 June 2011 BBC News 23 October 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20181205204652/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-13702372 5 December 2018 live Despite concerns over the delay, all major parties approved of it, even the Ennahda Movement; other parties approving the new election date included the Progressive Democratic Party, Ettajdid Movement, Al Majd, the Tunisian Workers' Communist Party and the Social Liberal Party.http://english.people.com.cn/90001/90777/90855/7405874.html Majority of Tunisian political parties approve new election date 10 June 2011 People's Daily Online 23 October 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20181116013844/http://en.people.cn/90001/90777/90855/7405874.html 16 November 2018 live Xinhua News Agency Tunisians in Canada In September, the Canadian government declared that it would not allow Tunisia to open polling stations in its territory because it refused to be included in another country's electoral constituency. Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird called the issue "a matter of Canadian sovereignty".http://www.international.gc.ca/media/aff/news-communiques/2011/272.aspx?lang=eng&view=d Statement by Minister Baird on Tunisian Elections Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada 22 September 2011 25 October 2011 In response to Canada's opposition, Tunisia threatened to refuse to allow Canadian observers to monitor the election,https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/tunisia-blocks-canadian-election-observers-from-monitoring-voting/article556250/ Tunisia blocks Canadian election observers from monitoring voting Clark Campbell 6 October 2011 The Globe and Mail 23 October 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20111014092503/https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/tunisia-blocks-canadian-election-observers-from-monitoring-voting/article2193755/ 14 October 2011 live Toronto but later reversed its decision and decided to accredit them.http://www.canada.com/news/Tunisia+accredits+Canadian+election+observers/5523941/story.html Tunisia accredits Canadian election observers Canada.com Agence France-Presse 8 October 2011 25 October 2011 July 2018 InternetArchiveBot no On 18 October, an agreement was reached between the two countries to allow Tunisians to cast their vote in Ottawa, at the Tunisian embassy's consular and diplomatic premises, and in Montreal, at the consulate and at a Tunisian community center.Canada's Tunisians to vote in weekend elections https://ottawacitizen.com/news/Canada+Tunisians+vote+weekend+elections/5572943/story.html Ottawa Citizen AFP 19 October 2011 23 October 2011 July 2018 InternetArchiveBot no Campaign A total of 11,686 candidates ran on 1,517 lists: 828 running with political parties, 655 running as independents, and 34 running with party coalitions. About 560 distinct groups registered one or more lists. About 400 groups registered a list in just one district. Only four alliances ran candidates (registered a list) in every district.Oxford Handbook of Electoral Systems, p. 99 In each of the 33 districts, each group could register just one party list. Each governorate elected between four and ten representatives. The total number of parties contesting the election was about 100.https://www.modernghana.com/news/357146/tunsians-gear-up-for-historic-vote.html Tunisians gear up for historic vote le Roux Mariette 22 October 2011 Modern Ghana 23 October 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20190530190433/https://www.modernghana.com/news/357146/tunsians-gear-up-for-historic-vote.html 30 May 2019 live AFP Tunisian expatriates elected their representatives on 20–22 October 2011.Campaigning begins in historic Tunisia poll https://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5gljVHyfJh2z8sa9-c3RTUaqpIC3A?docId=CNG.3fa646f23d63695e028bd4c0c4c05929.251 https://archive.today/20120910014252/http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5gljVHyfJh2z8sa9-c3RTUaqpIC3A?docId=CNG.3fa646f23d63695e028bd4c0c4c05929.251 dead 10 September 2012 AFP 1 October 2011 23 October 2011 Controversies There were minor violations of the electoral code in regards to publicity on the day of the election itself, but it was decided that those were not serious enough to warrant disqualification of the seats gained.http://english.aljazeera.net/indepth/opinion/2011/10/2011102813522140462.html Tunisia's elections: Sidi Bouzid speaks out – Opinion Al Jazeera English 4 October 2012 Results Results of the 2011 Tunisian Constituent Assembly election Kemal Jendoubi, the head of the Electoral Commission, announced the results. Ennahda took 37 percent of the votes and was awarded 89 seats (about 41 percent of the total seats).Oxford Handbook of Electoral Systems, p. 99 File:2011 Tunisian Constituent Assembly election results.svg Ennahda Movement 1498905 89 Congress for the Republic 352825 29 Democratic Forum for Labour and Liberties 285530 20 Popular Petition 280382 26 Progressive Democratic Party 160692 16 National Destourian Initiative 129215 5 Democratic Modernist Pole 113094 5 Afek Tounes 76643 4 Tunisian Workers' Communist Party 60620 3 Free Patriotic Union 51594 1 Democratic Patriots' Movement 32306 1 People's Movement 31793 2 Movement of Socialist Democrats 22842 2 Voice of the Future 17340 1 Democratic Social Nation Party 15572 1 New Destour Party 15459 1 Maghrebin Liberal Party 13053 1 The Independent 12172 1 Fulfilment 11578 1 The Hope 10681 1 For a Tunisian National Front 9923 1 Progressive Struggle Party 9329 1 Justice 9221 1 Equality and Justice Party 7619 1 Social Struggle 6680 1 Cultural Unionist Nation Party 5581 1 Faith to the Martyrs 3869 1 Other parties 809387 0 252630 8715520 ISIE Reactions Ennahda claimed victory.http://blogs.aljazeera.net/liveblog/tunisia-oct-24-2011-1539 Tunisia Al Jazeera Blogs 24 October 2011 25 October 2011 Early reports showed that party getting about 40% of the vote.http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/2/8/24984/World/Region/Tunisias-Islamist-AlNahda-party-expects--of-vote.aspx Tunisia's Islamist Al-Nahda party expects 40% of vote Al-Ahram Agence France-Presse 24 October 2011 25 October 2011 Fellow party member Lotfi Zitoun said that: "I think that al-Nahda will win between 50 and 55 per cent of the seats, with the Congress Party for the Republic (CPR) coming in second place." Reuters quoted Ali Larayedh as saying that Ennahda would consider forming a coalition with both Ettakatol and CPR.Ryan, Yasmine http://english.aljazeera.net/news/africa/2011/10/2011102421511587304.html Ennahdha claims victory in Tunisia poll Al Jazeera English 25 October 2011 25 October 2011 The CPR indicated it was also open to this possibility, but would only stay in a coalition with Ennahda as long as civil liberties were not under threat.http://www.tunisia-live.net/2011/10/26/cpr-hints-at-coalition-with-ennahda-calls-for-long-duration-for-constituent-assembly/ CPR Hints at Coalition with Ennahda, Calls for Long Duration for Constituent Assembly Tunisia Live 28 October 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20111027155956/http://www.tunisia-live.net/2011/10/26/cpr-hints-at-coalition-with-ennahda-calls-for-long-duration-for-constituent-assembly/ 27 October 2011 dead Ennahda's Rachid Ghannouchi said after the victory announcement: "We salute Sidi Bouzid and its sons who launched the spark and we hope that God will have made Mohamed Bouazizi a martyr. We will continue this revolution to realize its aims of a Tunisia that is free, independent, developing and prosperous in which the rights of God, the Prophet, women, men, the religious and the non-religious are assured because Tunisia is for everyone." Afek Tounes' had 17 high-level resignations after the election.November 2011 International The former Iranian foreign minister and leader of the Islamic-nationalist opposition Freedom Movement of Iran Ebrahim Yazdi wrote to Nahda's al-Ghannouchi saying: "In Muslim countries once a set of despots have been overthrown, another set of despots immediately take their place. This is what happened in Iran. Despite struggling for fundamental rights, freedom and self-determination, we Muslims from any nationality lack sufficient experience with democracy. We struggle and overthrow dictators but we don't remove tyranny as a mode of governance and a way of life."http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Middle_East/MK10Ak01.html https://web.archive.org/web/20111110083427/http://atimes.com/atimes/Middle_East/MK10Ak01.html unfit 10 November 2011 Asia Times Online :: Arab Spring confounds Iran's opposition Atimes.com 10 November 2011 4 October 2012 Controversies and violence The Aridha Chaabia had registered lists in multiple districts, but on October 27, the electoral commission voided its list in six electoral districts (where the group had elected eight members) on the grounds that it had violated election rules by campaigning during the purdah period and because of evidence of foreign funding. At the first announcement of the disqualification, Tunisian journalists in the electoral commission's media center burst into applause and sang the Tunisian national anthem, demonstrating a general suspicion of the Aridha Chaabia lists."Tunisian Elections – Live Updates – Results" https://web.archive.org/web/20120501064516/http://www.tunisia-live.net/2011/10/27/tunisian-elections-live-updates-results-3/ 1 May 2012 , Tunisia-Live, 27 October 2011 In reaction, the party's supporters set fire to the mayor's office and a court in Sidi Bouzid and more than 2,000 protesters congregated outside Ennahda's headquarters in the same town and pelted stones at security forces. Hachmi Hamdi then also said that he would withdraw all 19 seats won by the party.Amara Tarek https://www.reuters.com/article/us-tunisia-idUSTRE79Q32V20111028 Fresh post-vote clashes in cradle of Tunisia's revolt Reuters 24 October 2011 28 October 2011http://english.aljazeera.net/news/africa/2011/10/2011102721287933474.html Ennahda wins Tunisia's elections – Africa Al Jazeera English 4 October 2011 28 October 2011 In reaction to the violence a curfew was imposed from 19:00 on 18 October to 5:00 on 29 October and, though tensions remained, there were no violent incidents reported.http://english.aljazeera.net/news/africa/2011/10/20111029112052580211.html Tunisian town calm following curfew – Africa Al Jazeera English 4 October 2012 However, Aridha Chaabia's other list leaders refused to withdraw; consequently Hamdi reverted his decision and also called on the leaders of the nullified lists to appeal against the decision. The Administrative Court accepted, on Tuesday, the appeals filed by Aridha in the districts of Sidi Bouzid, Sfax-1, Jendouba, Kasserine and Tataouine. https://web.archive.org/web/20120613185517/http://www.tap.info.tn/en/en/politics/7105-administrative-court-accepts-appeals-filed-by-al-aridha-peoples-petition-in-five-precincts.html 13 June 2012 Aridha Chaabia thus recovered 7 of its 8 invalidated seats, bringing its total to 26. Following this, however, twelve parliament members of Aridha Chaabia resigned from the party and declared themselves independent members. Analysis Aridha Chaabia's surprise successhttps://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5j4MIy4frRcXDwE8QzwuDR2rbbm2g?docId=CNG.d2bfb13e2013e477cebefe8ffd8277d7.7b1 https://web.archive.org/web/20111026230227/http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5j4MIy4frRcXDwE8QzwuDR2rbbm2g?docId=CNG.d2bfb13e2013e477cebefe8ffd8277d7.7b1 dead 26 October 2011 Surprise Tunisian poll success for London-based millionaire Agence France-Presse 25 October 2011 26 October 2011 was linked to its populist rhetoric and its party leader Mohamed Hechmi Hamdi being the only prominent politician not from the coastal regions (he was born in Sidi Bouzid). The party opted for campaigning in rural regions of Tunisia (particularly the south), which are often ignored by mainstream politicians.http://www.tunisia-live.net/2011/10/27/aridha-chaabia-popular-petition-shocks-tunisian-politics/ Aridha Chaabia, "Popular Petition", Shocks Tunisian Politics (UPDATED) Tunisia Live 28 October 2011 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20111029185836/http://www.tunisia-live.net/2011/10/27/aridha-chaabia-popular-petition-shocks-tunisian-politics/ 29 October 2011 Despite concern amongst the Western media about a possible hindrance to women's rights as a result of Ennahda's plurality,October 2012 Souad Abdel Rahim of Ennahda said: "The doors are open for women now. We can sense that there has already been an impact. Even in Saudi Arabia, women can now vote," adding that Islamist parties in the Arab world should have a "framework" for women's advancement.https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/tunisia/8862963/Tunisias-Islamist-victory-good-for-women-says-female-figurehead.html London The Daily Telegraph Jonathan Mitchell Tunisia's Islamist victory good for women, says female figurehead 1 November 2011 Government formation Ennahda stated it would propose Hamadi Jebali, the party's secretary-general, as the new PM, but would not field a candidate for president and was open to supporting another party's candidate or the incumbent interim PM.http://www.tunisia-live.net/2011/10/26/a-triumphant-ennahda-jebali-for-prime-minister-no-candidate-for-presidency/ https://web.archive.org/web/20111027104819/http://www.tunisia-live.net/2011/10/26/a-triumphant-ennahda-jebali-for-prime-minister-no-candidate-for-presidency/ dead 27 October 2011 A Triumphant Ennahda: Jebali for Prime Minister, No Candidate for Presidency Tunisia Live 28 October 2011 Later, Ennahda named Mustapha Ben Jafar (secretary-general of Ettakatol), Moncef Marzouki (leader of CPR) and Beji Caid Essebsi (the interim PM) as possible candidates for the interim presidential period. Ettatakol stated that it would not nominate Ben Jafar for the position of prime minister, but was still not sure whether to participate in a coalition governmenthttp://www.tunisia-live.net/2011/10/27/who-will-be-tunisias-next-president/ Who Will be Tunisia's Next President? Tunisia Live 28 October 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20120309223642/http://www.tunisia-live.net/2011/10/27/who-will-be-tunisias-next-president/ 9 March 2012 dead with Ennahda and CPR.http://www.tunisia-live.net/2011/10/26/ettakatol-reacts-to-election-results-possible-cooperation-with-ennahda/ Ettakatol Reacts to Election Results: Possible Cooperation With Ennahda? Tunisia Live 28 October 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20111026230238/http://www.tunisia-live.net/2011/10/26/ettakatol-reacts-to-election-results-possible-cooperation-with-ennahda/ 26 October 2011 dead On 28 October, Ennahda said a new government could be formed within ten days. Hamadi Jbeli said that talks had already begun on forming a coalition government with the priority agenda being to revive the national economy after the revolution. Rachid Ghannouchi added that Ennahda would honour its undertaking to write a new constitution within a year: "This government will look to establish common grounds through providing a government plan proposal for a year."http://english.aljazeera.net/news/africa/2011/10/2011102810143529175.html Tunisian coalition government 'in 10 days' – Africa Al Jazeera English 4 October 2012 References External links Election commission (ISIE) (Arabic and French) Results per constituencies (Arabic only) Very detailed and complete results, from whole constituencies down to individual voting stations https://web.archive.org/web/20130814101615/http://www.isie.tn/Ar/rsfinal.php 14 August 2013 (Arabic only) Category:Tunisian revolution Category:Elections in Tunisia Tunisia Constituent Category:Constituent Assembly of Tunisia Tunisia Category:Constituent assembly elections in Africa