Tunisia's Independent High Authority for Elections (ISIE) has clarified the recently issued decree 3 of 2026, which amends certain provisions of the basic law number 23 of 2012. According to ISIE spokesperson Mohamed Tlili Mansri, the decree allows for the harmonization of legislative texts with the 2022 constitution. The new decree was made possible by the 2022 constitution, which stipulates that the electoral body should consist of 9 members who serve for 6 years, with one-third of the members being renewed every 2 years.
The previous law, before the recent amendment, provided for 7 members serving a 4-year term. Mansri highlighted that the new decree introduces two new specialties to the ISIE membership: a statistician and a retired diplomat. These new members are expected to bring valuable expertise to the electoral body. The statistician will help with the distribution of polling stations and voting centers, while the diplomat will facilitate the distribution of electoral materials to centers outside the country.
The decree also provides for the continuity of the current ISIE members until the new council takes office. According to Mansri, this ensures that there will be no vacancy or disruption in the electoral body's work. The current council will continue to organize partial elections and oversee procedures related to the random selection of members for regional and local councils.
The new decree outlines the composition of the ISIE council, which will consist of 9 independent and impartial members with expertise and integrity. The selection process involves various institutions, including the judiciary, the National Center for Informatics, the National Institute for Statistics, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The president of the republic will appoint the members after receiving proposals from these institutions.
The decree was issued in the Official Gazette of the Tunisian Republic on Wednesday, following a meeting of the Council of Ministers chaired by the president. The new law consists of 5 chapters that regulate the composition of the ISIE council, the term of office for each member, and the selection process.
Under the new decree, the ISIE council will comprise 3 members with experience in managing or supervising elections, 3 judges from different judicial bodies, 1 specialist in information systems and safety, 1 statistician, and 1 retired diplomat. The selection process involves proposals from various institutions, and the president will make the final appointments.
The clarification of decree 3 of 2026 by the ISIE spokesperson aims to provide transparency and understanding of the new electoral law. The decree is expected to enhance the independence and impartiality of the electoral body, ensuring the integrity of the electoral process in Tunisia. The new law will come into effect once the new ISIE council is formed.
Key points
- The new decree amends the composition and term of office of the ISIE council to align with the 2022 constitution.
