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03/28/2024 05:35:50 am

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Tunisia Welcomes Democracy In First Parliament Election After Arab Spring Uprising

Tunisia

(Photo : REUTERS/Anis Mili) Tunisians show their ink-stained fingers after casting their votes, in Tunis October 26, 2014. Tunisians voted on Sunday in parliamentary elections that bring full democracy finally within their reach, four years after their revolution cast out autocrat Zine El-Abidine Ben Ali.

Tunisia has elected a new parliament on Sunday as part of its long struggle to achieve democracy four years after former Prime Minister Zine El-Abidine Ben Ali was ousted from position and ignited the 2011 Arab Spring Uprising.

Official results will be available in a few days' time, but partial tally showed political parties Ennahda and Nidaa Tounes leading in votes that are high enough to win parliament seats.

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Nidaa Tounes dominated the 217-member elections with 80 seats against the rival Ennahda with 67 seats. Local officials said that the results are setback to Ennahda, which led Tunisia in its first free election after the fall of Ben Ali.

Nidaa Tounes chief Beji Caid Essebsi said the coalition already had "indications" that they are leading in the votes but denied the press of further details. They will only accept defeat against Ennahda if there will be no fraud, he added.

Ennahda, which was called out for mishandling, inexperience, and lax control over strong Islam believers, said they learned a lot during the early years after the revolution. On the other hand, members of the Nidaa Tounes see themselves as the future of Tunisia, posing as the modern technocrats who will lead the country through economic and political challenges.

Meanwhile, U.S. President Barrack Obama lauded Tunisia for a successful parliamentary election, calling it an "important milestone." Other Western countries also commended Tunisian's desire to control violence and steer the country toward democracy.

Wahid Zamely, a resident of the capital Tunis, said the election is the start of freedom among Tunisians. Since 2011, Tunisia's economy and employment relied majorly on foreign tourism while maintaining low-intensity clashes between Islamist rebels.

At the beginning of the year, Tunisia passed a new constitution that somewhat distinguishes itself amid violence and chaos in neighboring countries such as Libya, Syria, and Egypt. They are set to proclaim a new leader on November 23 presidential election.

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