October 26, 2009 Minister of the Interior and Local Development Rafik Belhaj Kacem held a new conference on Monday, with attendance of Secretary of State in charge of Regional Affairs and Local Communities Mongi Chouchene, during which he announced the results of the presidential and legislative elections.

At outset of the news conference, which was attended by a large number of national, Arab and foreign media representatives, he pointed to the efforts of the different ministry’s services to materialise President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali’s keenness to ensure that these elections be an outstanding political stage in the country’s history and that they take place in transparency, fair competition and respect for the law.

He emphasised, in this regard, the important dimensions of the Head of State’s speech on the eve of voting in which he underlined that the people’s will is above any other will, that elections and acceptance of their results are the very essence of democratic practice and that Tunisia, a country governed by the rule of law, is above all and that all are equals before the law.

He highlighted the National Elections Observatory’s role in following up and monitoring the elections at all stages as well as the means made available to it to discharge its mission to the best.

In this regard, he pointed to the amendment added to the Constitution allowing to consolidate pluralism at the level of candidacies for the presidential election, as well as the amendment introduced to the Electoral Code hence further enhancing democracy and allowing to lower the minimum legal voting age, strengthen legal guarantees of the electoral campaign and reduce the number of polling stations.

In implementation of the provisions of the Electoral Code and on the basis of the permanent revision of electoral lists, the minister said, the total number of registered voters stood at 4,974,707 from both genders, in addition to 321,301 voters registered in electoral constituencies for Tunisian expatriates.

The minister also reminded of Decree N° 2069, dated July 7, 2009, which sets the number of seats in the Chamber of Deputies and in electoral constituencies and distribution of seats on these constituencies.

He underlined, in this regard, the rising number of political parties and independent lists running for the legislative elections in the 26 electoral constituencies. He added that the number reached 263 submissions of candidacy, i.e. an increase by 71 new lists compared to the 2004 elections, pointing out that 181 lists received the final receipts with 1080 candidates belonging to 9 parties and 15 independent lists.

The minister also said that the 82 other candidate lists did not obtain the final receipts for non-compliance with legal conditions, pointing out that the Constitutional Council ruled on the appeals lodged by some lists, confirmed the right of candidacy of one list and turned down the others.

With regard to progress of the electoral campaign, the Interior and Local Development Minister underlined that it was held in a civilised climate and in abidance by the law and the democratic principles.

He reminded, in this regard, of such measures taken by the administration like fitting out spaces for posters and electoral manifestos as well as appropriate areas for holding public meetings.

The minister highlighted commitment of the different ministry’s departments, during the campaign, to appeal to the law in settling different situations posed.

He reminded, in this respect, of the tribute paid to the administration for its neutrality by the National Elections Observatory and several heads of political parties and independent lists.

The minister commended the healthy climate in which took place the elections which were followed up by members of the National Elections Observatory and parties’ observers as well as several political figures and observers from sisterly and friendly countries and regional organisations and many media representatives.

Then, the minister announced the general results of the elections:

Presidential election:

-Registered voters: 5,296,008

-Votes cast: 4,737,367

-Turnout rate: 89.45%

-Spoilt ballots: 7,718

-Votes counted: 4,729,649

- President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, candidate of the Constitutional Democratic Rally garnered 4,238,711 votes, i.e. a rate of 89.62%.

Messrs:

-Mohamed Bouchiha, candidate of the People’s Unity Party (PUP) won 236,955 votes, i.e. a rate of 5.01%.

- Ahmed Inoubli, candidate of the Unionist Democratic Union (UDU), got 176,726 votes, i.e. a rate of 3.80%.

-Ahmed Brahim, candidate of Ettajdid Movement, obtained 74,257 votes, i.e. a rate of 1.57%.

Under these results, the Minister of the Interior and Local Development announced that President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali won absolute majority of the votes counted in the presidential election. President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali is consequently re-elected as President of the Republic.

The Interior Minister extended to the President of the Republic his heartfelt congratulations and best wishes for success and excellence so that he keep on leading Tunisia toward more progress and prosperity, in dignity and invulnerability.

He expressed pride and satisfaction at these results which confirm the consideration, esteem and support enjoyed by the President of the Republic from all segments of the people.

The Minister of the Interior presented, afterwards, the results of the legislative elections:

- Registered voters: 4,974,707

- Votes cast : 4,447,388

- Turnout rate: 89.40%

- Spoilt ballot papers: 8,891 votes

- Votes counted: 4,438,497 votes

The Constitutional Democratic Rally (RCD) won 3,754,559 votes, i.e. a rate of 84.59% of the total votes counted in all constituencies. The RCD won the majority of votes in all constituencies, thus winning all the 161 seats at the constituencies level.

The other contending parties and independent lists in constituencies where they fielded candidates got 683,938 which are shared out as follows:

- Socialist Democrats Movement: 205,374, i.e. 4.63%,

- People's Unity Party: 150,639, i.e. 3.39%,

- Unionist Democratic Union : 113,773, i.e. 2.56%,

- Liberal Social Party: 99,468, i.e. 2.24%,

- Green Party for Progress: 74,185, i.e. 1.67%,

- Ettajdid Movement: 22,206, i.e. 0.50%,

- Democratic Forum for Labour and Liberties: 5,329, i.e. 0.12%,

- Progressist Democratic Party: 1,412, i.e. 0.03% and the

- Independent lists: 11,552, i.e. 0.26%.

The minister said that under the Electoral Code provisions pertaining to the distribution of seats at the national level, the distribution of the 53 seats stands as follows:

- Socialist Democrats Movement: 16 seats,

- People's Unity Party: 12 seats,

- Unionist Democratic Union: 9 seats,

- Liberal Social Party: 8 seats,

- Green Party for Progress: 6 seats,

- Ettajdid Movement: 2 seats,

- Democratic Forum for Labour and Liberties: 0 seat,

- Progressist Democratic Party: 0 seat and the

- Independent lists: 0 seat.

Mr. Rafik Belhaj Kacem pointed out that, on the basis of results achieved by the lists of each party at the level of the electoral constituencies, in accordance with the ranking of the rates of vote counted for each of these lists and under provisions of the article 105a of the Electoral Code, seats were distributed as follows:

- Socialist Democrats Movement (MDS) won 16 seats granted to front-runners in the constituencies of Tunis I, Tunis II, Ariana, Ben Arous, Nabeul, Zaghouan, Béja, Jendouba, Kairouan, Mahdia, Sidi Bouzid, Gafsa, Tozeur, Sfax II, Médenine and Tataouine.

- People's Unity Party (PUP) won 12 seats granted to front-runners in the constituencies of Tunis I, Tunis II, Ariana, Bizerte, Siliana, Jendouba, Kairouan, Sousse, Mahdia, Tozeur, Sfax I and Gabès.

- Unionist Democratic Union (UDU) won 9 seats granted to the front-runners in the constituencies of Tunis I, Ariana, Manouba, Nabeul, Béja, Jendouba, Kairouan, Gafsa and Sfax I.

- Liberal Social Party (PSL) won 8 seats granted to front-runners in the constituencies of Tunis I, Tunis II, Ariana, Béja, Kef, Sidi Bouzid, Gafsa and Gabès.

- Green Party for Progress (PVP) won 6 seats granted to front-runners in the constituencies of Manouba, Ben Arous, Nabeul, Kef, Sousse and Gabès.

- Ettajdid Movement won two seats granted to front-runners in the constituencies of Ariana and Zaghouan.

Answering a question on follow-up by observers from sisterly and friendly countries of the progress of elections and the legal guarantees provided to this operation, Mr. Rafik Belhaj Kacem praised that elections had been held in a democratic and transparent climate, stressing, in this regard, President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali's keenness to ensure that elections be held in a context of transparency and fair competition.

Besides, Mr. Belhaj Kacem pointed to the follow-up by several observers from sisterly and friendly countries of the progress of the different electoral stages and their movement in total freedom and ease, alongside media representatives, in the different regions of the Republic. These observers, he added, made it a point to praise the good conditions in which the elections had been held.

The minister added: " Any credible observer can only appreciate the vanguard reforms carried out by Tunisia of the Change in all areas, which enhanced Tunisia's shining image reflected in its gains and achievements; an image that has made the country a state that advances steadily on the path of democracy, pluralism and comprehensive development."

In another connection, Mr. Rafik Belhaj Kacem pointed to the attempt by a small group to cast doubt on the gains and achievements of the Change, stressing, in this regard, the urgent need to denounce and stand against all those who dare to undermine the national gains by relying on foreign support.

Tunisia, he underscored, is forging ahead in total confidence, driven by firm will to achieve the targets set by President Ben Ali to take up challenges.

He reiterated, in this respect, adherence of all segments of the Tunisian people to this successful progress led by the President of the Republic, praising the exemplary position of the Tunisian people who forcefully expressed total support to President Ben Ali by flocking in large numbers to the polls and voting overwhelmingly for him, which materialises the attachment of Tunisians at home and abroad to the wise leadership of the architect of the Change.