Tunisia's President Saied Wins Second Term in 'Hollow' Landslide

Kais Saied has been re-elected president of Tunisia with 90.69% of votes cast, according to official preliminary results announced by the Independent High Authority for Elections (ISIE).

He faced two rivals - Zouhair Maghzaoui, a former ally who turned to critic, and Ayachi Zammel, who was imprisoned last month. Zammel received just 7.3%, and Maghzaoui only 1.9% of the votes.

Political tensions have risen since an electoral commission appointed by Sayed disqualified three prominent candidates last month, leading to protests by opposition and civil society organizations. Opposition groups fear Saied's re-election will only further entrench his intolerance of dissent after removing institutional and legal checks on his power.

Tunisian President Kais Saied.

InFocus

Official results are not expected until Monday evening but an exit poll by Sigma company, a polling agency, showed Saied in the lead with 89.2 percent of votes, according to state television.

InFocus

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