Tunisian President Zine al Abidine Ben Ali has won a fifth term in office, receiving 86% of the vote. The election outcome was expected. Tunisia’s most prominent opposition figures did not take part in the election, while one of Ali’s challengers on the ballot acknowledged he had no chance of winning. Human rights organisations claim the election took place in an atmosphere of repression and signs of media pluralism were said to be absent in the run up to the elections. Written and broadcast media remained tireless in their praise of the president-candidate throughout the campaign and a strong police presence and media censorship disabled balanced news reporting. There were widespread reports of forced expulsion, intimidation and physical attacks on journalists.

Read more