The Independent High Authority for Elections in Tunisia has faced backlash from journalists following its decision to bar media from a press conference held yesterday. The conference, which announced the final list of candidates for the presidential elections scheduled for 6 October, included incumbent President Kais Saied, Zouhair Maghzaoui, and Ayachi Zammel.
The exclusion of journalists has sparked outrage, particularly from political activists, as the electoral authority disregarded an administrative court ruling that called for the reinstatement of three candidates—Imed Daimi, Mondher Znaidi, and Abdellatif Mekki—to the presidential race.
Journalists were further dismayed as the authority limited attendance to only official media outlets, such as Tunisie Radio, Tunis Afrique Presse (TAP), and Tunisie TV, while excluding private Tunisian and foreign media.
The Tunisian Journalists Syndicate condemned the exclusion, accusing the authority of using a public event to advance an “exclusionary agenda.” The syndicate stated that the move aims to evade media scrutiny and questions about decisions that contradict court rulings.
The syndicate also criticised the authority for attempting to control media coverage, thereby limiting transparency and obstructing objective reporting on the electoral process. They warned that such practices could further erode confidence in the electoral scene.