Yesterday, Sunday, Tunisia entered a period of silence on the eve of the start of the referendum process on the new constitution, today, Monday, while the electoral authority revealed that all logistical matters were ready to conduct the constitutional referendum, while the Public Prosecution of the Judicial Pole for Combating Terrorism decided to imprison the former director of intelligence, “the competent departments of the Ministry of the Interior.” Al-Azhar Longo, for a period of five days, subject to extension.
Nine million Tunisians are entitled to vote on a draft constitution proposed by the President of the Republic that, if approved, would end the exceptional measures.
External voting continues in 47 countries for the second day in a row and is scheduled to last three days.
According to the Elections Commission, the voter turnout process abroad was weak during the first day, with expectations that it would rise during the remaining two days.
The first day of voting abroad witnessed demonstrations in the capital that called for refusing to participate in the referendum on the constitution, amid security reinforcements.
Hundreds of people demonstrated on Bourguiba’s main road in the capital, denouncing the proposal to amend the constitution, to enhance the president’s powers and reduce the role of parliament and the prime minister.
Violent clashes took place with the police, who arrested about 10 protesters.
It is noteworthy that Tunisia’s new draft constitution includes a preamble and 142 chapters spread over 10 chapters, as it changes the features of the political system from semi-parliamentary to presidential.
The new draft constitution grants wide powers to the President of the Republic, as the president appoints the head of government and its members and has the power to dismiss them automatically. The president also gives the president the powers to dissolve Parliament and the Council of Regions and Regions.
Also, setting state budgets is one of the president’s responsibilities under the new constitution, while the government will be responsible to the president and not the parliament.
The president determines the state’s general policies and choices, appoints senior officials on the proposal of the prime minister, and nominates judges. The draft constitution also grants the president complete immunity.
The new draft constitution allocates a national council for regions and regions as a second chamber in addition to Parliament, and gives the president the right to run for a second term only.
On the other hand, the Public Prosecution Office of the Anti-Terrorism Judicial Pole decided to imprison the former director of intelligence “the competent services of the Ministry of the Interior”, Lazhar Longo, for a period of five days, subject to extension.
Lungo is subject to an inspection by the Judicial Police Department in the case relating to the Anstalingo institution.
Longo and other defendants were charged with several charges, such as money laundering and inciting residents to attack each other, inciting commotion and murder.
Longo is also accused of “committing a despicable act against the head of state, assaulting state security, and attempting to harm the integrity of Tunisian soil.”
An informed source indicated that “those charges were brought under the provisions of Articles 61, 67 and 72 of the Penal Code, and Article 94 of Law No. 26 of 2015 related to combating terrorism and preventing money laundering.”
It is noteworthy that Longo, prior to his mandatory retirement, held the position of Director General of the Competent Services.
(agencies)