TUNIS: Tunisia's election will be delayed until Oct. 23, a week later than the date suggested by electoral officials, to ensure it can be “free and transparent”, Prime Minister Beji Caid Sebsi said Wednesday. The date was originally set for July 24, but poll officials said that was impractical because of technical hitches such as nearly 400,000 Tunisians lacking voter cards. They had suggested Oct. 16 as a new date, but timing of the vote has been highly sensitive, and protesters took to the streets earlier this year at suggestions of a delay. Large opposition parties have demanded an earlier poll, saying they fear the government may renege on its promise to lead Tunisia towards democracy after the overthrow of former president Zine Al-Abidine Ben Ali this year. “All things considered, we decided to hold the elections on Oct. 23,” Sebsi told reporters. “The most important thing is the transparency of the elections. There are parties who disagreed with this ... but our mission is to hold elections that are free and transparent. We must protect the good name of the revolution.” In a sign the main opposition party Ennhada may be softening its stance, spokesman Ali Larayd said his party would respect the date. “We fear a delay in the elections could lead to violence and disorder,” he said.
