The Tunisia Independent High Authority for Elections (ISIE) has rejected requests from several civil society organisations seeking to monitor the upcoming presidential elections on 6 October, citing concerns over “suspicious” foreign funding. According to reports, the ISIE claimed that these groups had received large amounts of funding from questionable sources.
In a statement, the ISIE highlighted the need to ensure that all groups granted accreditation meet legal conditions, including neutrality, independence, and integrity. The election body revealed that it had received information from official sources indicating that some of these organisations were funded by foreign countries that do not maintain diplomatic relations with Tunisia. The ISIE has referred the information to the relevant authorities for further investigation.
Although the ISIE did not specify which associations were implicated, the Observers Association reported on Friday that the election body had failed to respond to its request to accredit 1,220 of its observers for the presidential election.
The ISIE has faced growing criticism since President Kais Saied issued a decree in April 2022 granting himself the authority to appoint its head. Critics argue that the election body has lost its independence and now acts in the interests of the president.
Since 2011, the ISIE has overseen numerous elections in Tunisia, including legislative, presidential, and municipal contests. However, as the 6 October presidential election approaches, concerns are mounting over the rejection of some candidates, with claims that President Saied is monopolising power and stifling opposition voices.