This preliminary statement (download full statement) is offered by the joint international Election Observation Mission (EOM) of the National Democratic Institute (NDI) and the International Republican Institute (IRI) to Tunisia’s September 15, 2019, presidential election. 

Through this statement, NDI and IRI seek to demonstrate the international community’s interest in and support for the democratic process in Tunisia, provide an accurate and impartial report on the electoral process to date, and offer recommendations to improve future elections. 

This statement builds on observations of the joint mission’s long-term observers who have been deployed across Tunisia since late August and a pre-election delegation that visited Tunisia from July 30-August 2 to assess preparations for the polls. 

The EOM delegation included 40 observers from 14 countries across the Middle East, Africa, Asia, Europe and North America and was led by Margaret Curran, former Member of Parliament (MP) for the Scottish Labour Party, IRI President Daniel Twining, and NDI Middle East and North Africa Director Leslie Campbell. 

The delegation does not seek to render final conclusions on the September 15 election at this time. The official tabulation process and announcement of results were not complete as of midday on September 16. Run-off elections will likely be held; any complaints that may be lodged will have to be properly resolved. This statement is therefore preliminary in nature. The mission will continue to monitor the electoral process through the run-offs and will issue reports as appropriate. The EOM does not seek to interfere in electoral processes and recognizes that it is the people of Tunisia who will ultimately determine the credibility and legitimacy of their elections.