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In Tunis, Gaby Senay, [email protected], (+216) 92 18 34 69
In Washington, DC, Kathy Gest, [email protected], (+1) 202-728-5535
TUNIS, Tunisia – Next week, the National Democratic Institute (NDI) will expand its ongoing election observation in Tunisia with the arrival of more than 50 additional international observers for the Nov. 23 presidential election. NDI launched its election observation effort with the deployment of long-term observers in late June for the voter registration period, and hosted a similar delegation of short-term observers for the legislative elections on Oct. 26.
The delegation will be led by Ana Gomes, member of the European Parliament from Portugal; U.S. Representative David E. Price, D-NC; and Shari Bryan, vice president of NDI. The delegation members include elected representatives, regional specialists, election experts and civil society leaders from more than 23 countries.
“After selecting their representatives in parliament, Tunisians will now have the opportunity to freely choose their president for the first time in their country’s history. The work of election observers supports this process by contributing to transparent elections where voters’ voices are heard,” said Nicole Rowsell, NDI’s director in Tunisia.
Prior to their deployment, observers will hear from election officials, presidential candidates, campaign teams and representatives of civil society. They will also receive updates on the progress made by Tunisian authorities in addressing recommendations issued by NDI’s mission that observed the legislative elections. Observers will then deploy across the country where they will meet with local election authorities, candidate representatives, journalists and election observers.
On election day, delegates will visit polling stations to observe voting and counting processes. They will prepare a statement containing the mission’s preliminary findings that will be issued during a press conference on Nov. 24.
NDI has conducted election observation in more than 63 countries around the world. The delegation is conducting its observation in a nonpartisan capacity in accordance with Tunisian law and with the international standards contained in the Declaration of Principles for International Election Observation.
During Tunisia’s current political transition, NDI is leading programs to encourage a competitive and representative political environment where political parties act on behalf of citizens’ interests, and where civil society plays an active role in overseeing the political process. Since 2000, NDI has supported reform-minded Tunisian democrats in their efforts to promote a more inclusive and participatory political environment.
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The National Democratic Institute is a nonprofit, nonpartisan nongovernmental organization working to support and strengthen democratic institutions worldwide through citizen participation, openness and accountability in government. More information is available at www.ndi.org
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