Tunisian presidential candidate Imed Daimi has lodged a formal complaint with the United Nations, accusing the country’s electoral commission of committing severe violations against democratic and human rights in the lead-up to next month’s presidential election.
Daimi submitted his complaint to the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights in Geneva on Wednesday, specifically targeting members of Tunisia’s Independent High Authority for Elections (ISIE). He alleges that they acted under the influence of the current president, who is also running in the election, to undermine the rights of other candidates.
According to a statement from Daimi’s campaign, the complaint outlines evidence of violations that breach the Tunisian Constitution, national laws, and international treaties. It also includes documentation showing that Imed Daimi had exhausted all legal avenues in Tunisia, with the country’s Administrative Court ruling in his favour to be reinstated in the race. However, the electoral commission refused to implement the court’s decision, citing a missed deadline.
Daimi’s complaint highlights breaches of international agreements such as the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights. He has called for the UN’s Human Rights Council to intervene, emphasising the serious impact these violations could have on Tunisia’s democratic process, rule of law, and the legitimacy of the president.