Counting is underway following Sunday’s presidential run-off election in Tunisia. A result is expected to be announced on Monday evening. The vote
Counting is underway following Sunday’s presidential run-off election in Tunisia.
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A result is expected to be announced on Monday evening.
The vote marks the country’s transition to full democracy after a revolution that ousted autocrat Zine El-Abidine Ben Ali in 2011.
The frontrunner is Beji Caid Essebsi. He claimed a victory shortly after the close of polling stations across the country, however his opponent Moncef Marzouki said it was too early to call.
Essebsi is a former parliament speaker under Ben Ali and leader of the secular-leaning Nidaa Tounes party.
He has dismissed critics who say a victory for him would mark a return to the old regime in Tunisia.
Moncef Marzouki is a human rights activist forced into exile by the Ben Ali government. Since 2011 he has been the interim president.
Marzouki is expected to have polled well among supporters of the Islamist Ennahda Party.
Tunisia has been hailed as an example of democratic change following the introduction of a new constitution and a full parliament elected in October.