In a historic move, Tunisia's Independent High Authority for Elections (ISIE) on Monday, September 28, 2026, oversaw a vote to remove a locally elected representative. The vote, which took place on Sunday, September 27, 2026, concerned the representative from the Temgaza district in the governorate of Tozeur. According to the ISIE, 52.43% of voters chose to remove the representative, while 47.57% voted against the move.
The decision to hold the vote was made by the ISIE, which is responsible for organizing and overseeing elections in Tunisia. The body is headed by Farouk Bouaskar, who presided over the meeting that approved the results of the vote. The ISIE's decision to remove the representative was made in accordance with Tunisian electoral law, which allows for the recall of elected officials under certain circumstances.
The removal of the representative means that they will lose their seat on the local council, and a by-election will be held to fill the vacancy. The ISIE has announced that it will publish the final results of the vote in the Official Gazette of the Tunisian Republic, which will formally confirm the representative's removal. The by-election is expected to take place at a later date.
The vote to remove the representative was organized and executed by the ISIE using its own resources, with minimal expenses reported. This marks the first time that such a vote has been held in Tunisia, highlighting the country's efforts to strengthen its democratic institutions and ensure accountability among elected officials.
The ISIE's decision to remove the representative is seen as a significant step in consolidating Tunisia's democratic gains since the Arab Spring revolution in 2011. The country has made significant progress in establishing an independent electoral body and strengthening its electoral laws, which have helped to ensure the integrity of the electoral process.
The Temgaza district council seat will remain vacant until a by-election is held to fill the position. The ISIE has confirmed that it will take the necessary steps to organize the by-election, which is expected to take place in the coming weeks or months. The outcome of the by-election will determine who will represent the district on the local council.
The successful holding of the vote to remove the representative demonstrates the effectiveness of Tunisia's electoral system and its ability to ensure accountability among elected officials. The ISIE's independence and impartiality have been crucial in maintaining public trust in the electoral process, and its efforts to promote transparency and accountability are seen as essential to Tunisia's democratic development.
Key points
- The vote to remove the representative was won by 52.43% of voters, marking the first-ever successful recall of an elected local representative in Tunisia.
