Info

Tunisia

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Boundary Delimitation

BD001

Delimitation of constituencies

Question:	Are constituencies delimited for election purposes?
Answer:	a. Yes
Comments:	There are 25 multi-member constituencies (for 189 seats) covering the 23 governorates of the country. (The most densely populated two governorates Tunis and Sfax each comprise two constituencies). The overall number of seats in the Chamber of Deputies is established on the basis of one seat for 48 700 inhabitants, but another seat may be assigned based on the population numbers. The number of seats allocated to each electoral district is determined on the basis of one seat for 65 000 inhabitants. In all cases, the number of seats assigned to single constituency cannot be less than two.
Source:	IPU Parline Database: http://www.ipu.org/parline-e/reports/2321.htm Electoral Law of Tunisia, art. 72
Verified:	2009/09/18

BD003

Criteria for drawing boundaries

Question:	On what criteria are the boundaries drawn?
Answer(s):	a. "Equality" of population
Comments:
Source:	Electoral Law of Tunisia, art. 72.
Verified:	2009/09/18

BD005

Body responsible for drawing boundaries

Question:	The body responsible for drawing the boundaries is:
Answer(s):	a. Legislature (1st chamber)
Comments:
Source:	Electoral Law of Tunisia, art. 72.
Verified:	2005/04/06

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Electoral Systems

ES001

Head of State

Question:	How is the Head of State selected?
Answer(s):	c. Directly elected in general elections (absolute majority with 2nd round if necessary)
Comments:	The President of the Republic is elected for five years by universal, free, direct, and secret suffrage, within the last thirty days of the term of office and under the the conditions specified by the electoral law. The President is elected by absolute majority of votes cast. When the majority of these votes is not obtained in the first round of elections, a second round is held the second Sunday after polling day.
Source:	Constitution of Tunisian Republic, art. 39. Electoral Law, art. 70
Verified:	2009/09/18

ES002

Head of Government

Question:	How is the Head of Government selected?
Answer:	e. Appointed
Comments:	The President of the Republic nominates the Prime Minister, and on his suggestion, the other members of the Government.
Source:	Constitution of the Tunisian Republic, art. 50.
Verified:	2009/09/18

ES003

President

Question:	Does the country have a president?
Answer:	a. Yes
Comments:	The President of the Republic is the Head of State.
Source:	Constitution of the Tunisian Republic, art. 38. Electoral Law, art. 63-71
Verified:	2009/09/18

ES004

Number of Chambers

Question:	The national legislature consists of (one/two chambers):
Answer:	b. Two chambers
Comments:	The bicameral parliament is composed of the Chamber of Deputies (Majlis al-Nuwaab) and Chamber of Councillors (Majlis al-Mustasharin)
Source:	IPU Parline Database: http://www.ipu.org/parline-e/reports/2322_A.htm Electoral Law, art. 72-109 & 110-136
Verified:	2009/09/18

ES005

Electoral System (Chamber 1)

Question:	What is the electoral system for Chamber 1 of the national legislature?
Answer(s):	e. Parallel (Segmented) (PR Lists and Majoritarian constituencies)
Comments:	The system is mixed. 152 Deputies are elected by party-list simple majority system. In each of the 25 constituencies, the elector chooses a list of candidates without replacing the names given. All constituency seats go to the winning list. 37 remaining seats are allotted proportionately to parties that didn't secure an absolute majority on the basis of percentage of votes won at the national level and the highest average formula, the aim being to ensure wider representation in Parliament. The seat goes to the candidate whose name appears first on the list concerned at the time of its submission.
Source:	IPU Parline Database: http://www.ipu.org/parline-e/reports/2321_B.htm
Verified:	2009/09/18

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Legislative Framework

LF001

Status of Electoral Law

Question:	What is the status of the electoral law governing national elections?
Answer(s):	a. Part of Constitution b. Separate legislation
Comments:	Although electoral law is mostly covered by separate legislation, there are some basic electoral provisions in the Constitution as well.
Source:	Electoral Law; Constitution of the Republic of Tunisia
Verified:	2009/09/18

LF003

Electoral Law covers

Question:	The national electoral law covers:
Answer(s):	a. National elections c. Local elections d. Referendums e. Other
Comments:	The national electoral law covers the presidential, national, and local election as well as referenda.
Source:	Electoral Law, sec. 2-6
Verified:	2009/09/18

LF004

Compulsory/voluntary voting

Question:	Is voting on the national level voluntary or compulsory?
Answer(s):	a. Voting is voluntary
Comments:
Source:	IPU Parline Databse: http://www.ipu.org/parline-e/reports/2321.htm; International IDEA Voter Turnout Database: http://www.idea.int/vt/compulsory_voting.cfm
Verified:	2009/09/18

LF007

Electoral Disputes Agency(ies)

Question:	What are the agency(ies) responsible for the first level of formal electoral disputes?
Answer(s):	a. Judiciary
Comments:	Every candidate for elections is entitled to challenge the legality of elections and their results within three business days following the announcement of the election results by the Minister of Interior. Disputes regarding the validity of elections are submitted to the Constitutional Council, which decides two (or in case of neccessity three) weeks from the date of expiry of the appeal.
Source:	Electoral Law, art. 106
Verified:	2009/09/18

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Electoral Management

EM001

Please provide the following contact information for the national electoral management body:

Name of Institution: Ministry of Interior 
Website Address: http://www.chambre-dep.tn/

Source

No Source

Verified

2009/11/17

(Found a mistake? Please let us know.)

EM002

Responsibility of national EMB

Question:	Does the national electoral body have the responsibility for elections at:
Answer(s):	a. National level c. Local level
Comments:	The national electoral management body is also responsible for the presidential elections.
Source:	Electoral Law, Section 1.
Verified:	2004/06/03

EM004

EMB budget determined by

Question:	The budget of the national electoral management body is determined by:
Answer(s):	g. Other
Comments:	The Ministry of Interior.
Source:	Electoral Law, chapter 2, section 1, articles 9, 13 and 23.
Verified:	2004/06/03

EM005

EMB expenditures controlled by

Question:	The expenditures of the national electoral management body are controlled by:
Answer(s):	g. Other
Comments:	It is reviewed and controlled by the Ministry of Interior.
Source:	Electoral Law, chapter 2, section 1, articles 9, 13 and 23.
Verified:	2004/06/03

EM006

Term of EMB members

Question:	The term of the members of the national electoral management body is:
Answer:	f. Not applicable
Comments:
Source:	Electoral Management Design: The International IDEA Handbook (http://www.idea.int/publications/emd/upload/EMD_Annex_A.pdf)
Verified:	2009/11/17

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Voter Education

VE001

Information campaigns performed by

Question:	Who conducts information campaigns for national elections (informing where, when and how to register and/or vote)?
Answer(s):	f. Local Governments h. Political parties/ candidates
Comments:	The municipalities and the maires will inform the voters where to vote, when and how to register. The candidates have their own information campaigns. When the governor designates the location of the polling stations, these sites are brought to voters' attention at least 7 days before the polling through posters and notices posted at the governorate headquarters, delegations and communal as well as sectoral areas.
Source:	Electoral Law, art. 37-38.
Verified:	2009/09/18

VE002

Frequency of voter education programs

Question:	At the national level, how often are voter education programs conducted?
Answer:	b. Election time only
Comments:	For the presidential and national elections, the campaigns start two weeks before the election; for the local elections, the campaigns start one week before the elections. But both kinds of campaigns should stop 24 hours before voting time
Source:	Electoral Law, art. 37 (revised).
Verified:	2009/09/25

VE003

National civic education

Question:	Is there a national civic education campaign (rights and responsibilities of citizens)?
Answer(s):	g. Yes, conducted by the Local Governments
Comments:	Posters and billboards are posted in the offices of the municipalities and the maires; 7 days before Election Day.
Source:	Electoral Law, art. 38.
Verified:	2005/04/06

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Voter Registration

VR001

Voting age

Question:	What is the legal voting age in the national elections?
Answer:	c. 18
Comments:	Until April 2009, the voting age was 20.
Source:	Electoral Law, art. 2.
Verified:	2009/09/18

VR002

Other voting requirements

Question:	Beyond age, what other qualifications exist for registering to vote and voting in the national elections?
Answer(s):	a. Citizenship e. Other
Comments:	Tunisian citizenship or Tunisian nationality for at least five years, full possession of civil and political rights, and no indecent acts.
Source:	Electoral Law, art. 2.
Verified:	2009/09/18

VR004

Body responsible for voter registration

Question:	Which is the authority responsible for the registration of voters for national elections?
Answer:	c. Local Government Authority
Comments:	The municipalities and the maires are responsible for the registration of voters.
Source:	Electoral Law, art. 6 & 8.
Verified:	2009/09/18

VR008

Compulsory voter registration

Question:	Is it compulsory to be on the voters register?
Answer:	b. No
Comments:	The law states that citizens that meet the registration criteria may at any time ask the head of the municipality or area to be registered. Only voters who have registered in the voter register are allowed to vote.
Source:	Electoral Law, art. 8.
Verified:	2009/09/18

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Voting Operations

VO003

Electors vote at

Question:	Where can electors vote?
Answer(s):	a. At a specified polling station in the locality where they are registered at national elections
Comments:	The polling stations for each municipality or maire are made known to the electors at least 7 days before Election Day.
Source:	Electoral Law, art. 38.
Verified:	2009/09/18

VO004

Voting outside the country is permitted for

Question:	Who can vote from outside the country?
Answer(s):	c. Citizens outside the country (including those on vacation)
Comments:	The diplomatic Tunisian groups and the Consulates outside the country make sure that the citizens residing outside the country can vote.
Source:	Electoral Law, art. 7.
Verified:	2005/04/06

VO005

Locations for voting outside of the country

Question:	If voting outside the country is permitted, at what places?
Answer(s):	a. Embassies b. Consulates
Comments:	The diplomatic Tunisian groups and the Consulates outside the country make sure that the citizens residing outside the country can vote.
Source:	Electoral Law, art. 7.
Verified:	2005/04/06

VO011

Voting method

Question:	How do electors cast their votes?
Answer(s):	g. Other
Comments:	By putting a ballot in an envelope. Special envelopes are used; white for presidential elections and yellow for national and municipal elections.
Source:	Electoral Law, art. 45, 46 & 48.
Verified:	2009/09/18

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Parties and Candidates

PC001

Registration requirements for parties (Chamber 1)

Question:	What are the registration requirements for political parties running for national elections (Chamber 1)?
Answer(s):	f. Other
Comments:	In order to be on the list of candidates for elections, each candidate has to submit a signed declaration containing the title (denomination) of the list presented, personal information (such as his/her name, name of mother and father, date of birth, address...etc.) and he/she must indicate in which electoral list he/she is registered. Political parties (as well as candidates not presented by political parties) must also indicate the color of their candidate list. The applications are submitted to the governor or his/her representative during the fifth week before the elections. Each list must bear as many names as seats to be filled in the constituency
Source:	Electoral Law, articles 91-93.
Verified:	2009/09/18

PC003

Registration requirements for candidates (Chamber 1)

Question:	What are the legal qualifications to become a candidate at legislative elections (Chamber 1)?
Answer(s):	a. Age b. Citizenship e. Citizenship of parents
Comments:	Candidates must be qualified electors, at least 23 years old, with Tunisian citizenship, and born of a Tunisian father or Tunisian mother.
Source:	Electoral Law, art. 76.
Verified:	2009/09/18

PC008

Independent candidates

Question:	Can independent candidates compete in presidential or legislative elections?
Answer(s):	e. In both presidential and legislative elections
Comments:	Eligible candidates can compete in both elections.
Source:	Electoral Law
Verified:	2009/09/21

PC012

Public funding of parties

Question:	Do political parties receive direct/indirect public funding?
Answer(s):	b. Direct
Comments:	Funding is awarded to both presidential candidates as well as to the lists of candidates for parliamentary elections, in order to finance their electoral campaigns. The amounts are fixed based on the number of voters.
Source:	Electoral Law, art. 45 (revised).
Verified:	2009/09/18

PC015

Basis of public funding

Question:	What is the basis of the public funding?
Answer(s):	e. Other
Comments:	The system is mixed. The presidential candidates receive half of the funds after a declaration about the validity of their candidacy is made by the Constitutional Council. They are awarded the second half, if they get at least 3% of the votes in the elections. In regards to the legislative elections, funding is given to each list of candidates. First half is paid upon the receipt and official registration of the candidate lists. Second half is paid to each of the lists that receive at least 3% of the votes cast in the constituency. In regards to other elections, each list of candidates that receives at least 3% of the votes in the constituency may request a reimbursement for printing of the ballots (that equals the number of registered voters in the district increased by 10%) and they may also request a reimbursement for printing a number of campaign posters determined on the basis of one poster for 500 electors in the constituency.
Source:	Electoral Law, art. 45 (revised).
Verified:	2009/09/21

PC017

Private funding of parties

Question:	Are political parties entitled to private funding?
Answer:	b. No
Comments:	Receiving any direct or indirect material assistance from any foreign party in any capacity or nature is forbidden. The lack of abiding of the law can be penalized either by fees or by imprisonment.
Source:	Electoral Law, art. 62 (revised).
Verified:	2009/09/18

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Vote Counting

VC004

Voters are sorted/counted at

Question:	Following the close of the voting, where are the votes first sorted and counted?
Answer:	a. The polling stations
Comments:	Counting takes place immediately after the close of voting.
Source:	Electoral Law, art. 50
Verified:	2009/09/21

VC011

Conditions for recount

Question:	Under what conditions are ballots recounted?
Answer(s):	g. No information available
Comments:
Source:
Verified:	2009/09/25

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Media and Elections

ME037

Parties receive free broadcast time based on

Question:	What are the criteria for allocating free broadcast time and/or free printed advertisement space to political parties?
Answer(s):	d. Based on mixture of principles (specify)
Comments:	Both the presidential candidates and the candidates for the Chamber of the Deputies are entitled to use the Tunisian television broadcasts for election campaigns. Requests for using this service must be addressed to the public television broadcasting authority. The dates and times of the emmission are determined by the public television broadcasting authority by drawing lots and also on the basis of equal emmission length for all presidential candidates and varying emmission length for the elections to the Chamber of Deputies, based on the number of candidate lists. The draw takes place in the presence of the candidates or their representatives (in case of presidential elections) and in the presence of candidates or representatives of the electoral rolls (in case of the legislative elections). The draw takes place within a period not exceeding 15 days before polling day.
Source:	Electoral Law, art. 37
Verified:	2009/09/21

ME059

Existence of televised debates

Question:	Are televised debates between candidates or party representatives normally conducted?
Answer(s):	d. No information available
Comments:	The law only states that both the presidential candidates and the candidates for the Chamber of the Deputies are entitled to use the Tunisian television broadcasts for election campaigns. There are no details regarding televised debates.
Source:	Electoral Law, art. 37
Verified:	2009/09/21

ME062

Blackout period for opinion polls

Question:	What is the blackout period, if any, during which results of pre-election opinion polls may not be released to the public?
Answer:	g. No information available
Comments:	The law only states that the electoral campaign ends 24 hours before polling day.
Source:	Electoral Law, art. 37 (revised)
Verified:	2009/09/21

ME080

Maximum amount for paid advertising

Question:	Is there a maximum amount that a political party is permitted to spend on paid advertising during a campaign period?
Answer:	c. No information available
Comments:
Source:
Verified:	2009/09/21

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Direct Democracy

DD002

Direct Democracy Provisions (National Level)

Question:	Are there any Legal Provisions for Direct Democracy Procedures at the national level?
Answer:	a. Yes
Comments:	There are some provisions regarding referenda in the Constitution, but most of the legal provisions are present in the Electoral Law.
Source:	Constitution of the Tunisian Republic, art. 2, 47 & 76 Electoral Law, art. 162-165
Verified:	2009/09/21

DD003

Mandatory referendums (national level)

Question:	Are there any Legal Provisions for Mandatory Referendums at the national level?
Answer:	a. Yes
Comments:	The Constitution states that: The Tunisian Republic constitutes part of the Great Arab Maghreb, to whose unity it works within the framework of common interests. Treaties concluded to this effect and which shall be of such nature as to bring about any modification whatsoever in the present Constitution shall be submitted to a referendum by the President of the Republic after they have been adopted by the Chamber of Deputies in the forms and conditions foreseen by the Constitution.
Source:	Constitution of the Tunisian Republic, art. 2
Verified:	2009/09/21

DD004

Optional referendums (national level)

Question:	Are there any Legal Provisions for Optional Referendums at the national level?
Answer:	a. Yes
Comments:	The Constitution holds that: The President of the Republic may submit to a referendum any bill relating to the organization of the public powers or seeking to ratify a treaty which, without being contrary to the Constitution, may affect the functioning of the institutions. When the concluded referendum has resulted in the adoption of the bill, the President of the Republic promulgates it within a maximum period of fifteen days. It also states that the President of the Republic may submit the draft revision of the Constitution in a referendum.
Source:	Constitution of the Tunisian Republic, art. 47 & 76
Verified:	2009/09/21

DD005

Citizens' Initiatives (national level)

Question:	Are there any Legal Provisions for Citizen’s Initiatives at national level?
Answer:	b. No
Comments:	The law only states that electors may be asked to take part in the referendum based on the articles 2, 47 and 76 of the Constitutions. There are no provisions for citizens' initiatives.
Source:	Electoral Law, art. 162
Verified:	2009/09/21

DD006

Agenda Initiatives (national level)

Question:	Are there any Legal Provisions for Agenda Initiatives at national level?
Answer:	c. No information available
Comments:
Source:
Verified:	2009/09/21

DD007

Recalls (national level)

Question:	Are there any Legal Provisions for Recalls at national level?
Answer:	c. No information available
Comments:
Source:
Verified:	2009/09/21

DD129

Binding referenda

Question:	Are the results of referenda always binding, never binding or sometimes binding?
Answer:	a. Always binding
Comments:
Source:	Direct Democracy: The International IDEA Handbook, 2008: http://www.idea.int/publications/direct_democracy/index.cfm
Verified:	2009/09/21

DD130

National referenda deal with

Question:	Are the types of issues to vote upon in a referendum constitutional changes only, other issues only or both constitutional and other issues?
Answer:	c. Both constitutional and other issues
Comments:
Source:	Constitution of the Tunisian Republic, art. 2, 47 & 76
Verified:	2009/09/21

DD131

Direct Democracy at sub-national level

Question:	Are there any Legal Provisions for Direct Democracy at sub-national levels (regional or local)?
Answer:	b. No
Comments:	The law does not specify any possibilities for direct democracy on sub-national level.
Source:	Electoral Law Direct Democracy: The International IDEA Handbook, 2008: http://www.idea.int/publications/direct_democracy/index.cfm
Verified:	2009/09/21