Marzouki challenges election results

Presidential candidate Moncef Marzouki has appealed against the results of the first round of the Tunisian elections held on November 25. The interim president filed eight appeals with the Administrative Court on Friday, it has been reported. The court confirmed that it had received an appeal request from Marzouki.

A member of the Independent High Commission for Elections said that its control office received a number of other appeals against the election results. Speaking on condition of anonymity, he said that this might lead to the cancellation of the second round of the poll, which is slated for December 14. He added that if the court ruled on the appeals quickly, the second round might take place a week late, on December 21.

Yesterday, Friday, November 28, was the deadline for anyone to lodge an appeal against the first round results of the poll. Marzouki received 33.43 per cent of the votes; his main opponent, Beji Caid Al-Sebsi, got 39.46 per cent.