Landmark election reform for Tunisia

The Tunisian National Constituent Assembly (NCA) concluded its deliberations on electoral reform on Wednesday evening, ratifying all 35 clauses of the draft law of the Independent Higher Authority of the Election (ISIE). The Tunisian parliament also approved Chapter VI, handling the establishment of the election oversight body. Sahbi Atiq, head of the Ennahda Movement, confirmed that all political blocs had agreed on the law, including clauses on proportional representation and the criteria of electing a president. In the prevailing spirit of unity, Initiative Party member Mohammad Karim Krevh, apologised to members of the assembly after claiming they were under the influence of the Constitutional Democratic Rally (RCD) party, led by ousted president, Zine El Abidine Ben Ali. Krevh said that he was defending himself against accusations that he had joined the former president's party. The National Constituent Assembly will begin plenary discussions on drafting a 2013 state budget on Tuesday December 18.