Brussels, 21/10/2011 (Agence Europe) - A European Parliament delegation is in Tunisia to observe the unfolding of elections scheduled for Sunday 23 October. Tokia Saïfi (EPP), who is part of the delegation, underlined that the election of the constituent assembly is an important stage in the democratic transition process underway. This is the first time this has happened in that region of the world, he said, hoping that it would become a “precedent”.
The electoral observation mission composed of 15 MEPs arrived in Tunisia on 19 October, and will be there until 25 October. Before the election, they will meet the candidates, party leaders and representatives of the authorities and civil society. Then, on the day of the election, they will be present at voting stations. Gabriele Albertini (EPP), who heads the delegation, explained before leaving for Tunisia that they would be deployed throughout the country, bringing their experience to bear as elected parliamentarians to monitor how the process is being conducted.
Tunisians are to go to the urns to elect the members of the constituent assembly which will govern the new constitution of the country. (CG/transl.jl)