Voting begins in Tunisia's parliamentary elections

The polling centers for the parliamentary elections opened on Sunday in Tunisia.

A Tunisian woman casts her ballot at a polling station during parliamentary elections in Tunis, Tunisia, October 6, 2019. [Photo: IC]

More than 15,000 candidates from different parties, party coalition or independent candidates are competing for the 217 seats in the Assembly of People's Representatives (Parliament).

A total of seven million people are eligible to vote on Sunday's elections.

The President of the Independent High Authority for Elections (ISIE) Nabil Baffoun on Sunday morning called on Tunisians to participate in the election.

Voters cast their ballot in favour of a list in their home districts. According to data from the ISIE, among the 1,572 confirmed lists, 687 are party lists, 722 are independent and 163 are coalition.

The preliminary result of the elections will be announced on Oct. 10.

The Assembly of People's Representatives is elected for a five-year term.

According to Tunisian Constitution, the party that secures more than 109 out of 217 seats in the parliament has the right to appoint a prime minister and form a government.

Under current proportional representation principle for the elections, it is almost impossible for any single party in Tunisia to get enough seats to form a cabinet.

The Interior Ministry announced Sunday in a statement that the voting began under stable conditions and it has provided all the necessary materials and logistical means for the elections.

The law enforcement units were deployed in the various offices of the electoral body and around to ensure the proper conduct of the poll and secure the premises.

In addition, contingency plans have been provided by the Civil Protection whose teams are ready to intervene in emergent circumstances.

Internal security forces among police officers, members of the National Guard and Civil Protection have been deployed throughout the country for the parliamentary elections.