Tunisian court allows 5th candidate to run for president

TUNIS, Aug. 29 (Xinhua) -- The Tunisian Administrative Court on Thursday upheld Mondher Zenaidi's appeal, allowing him to join the upcoming presidential elections as the fifth candidate, according to private radio station Mosaique FM.

"Zenaidi will be allowed to return to the presidential race to be held on Oct. 6, 2024," Mosaique FM quoted the spokesman for the court, Faycal Bouguerra, as saying.

"The decisions issued by this court are final and not subject to any form of appeal, in accordance with the provisions of the electoral law," Bouguerra said.

From 1994 to 2011, Zenaidi held several important posts, including Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, Minister of Transport, Minister of Commerce, and Minister of Public Health.

Two days ago, the court reinstated Abdellatif Mekki's candidacy for the presidential race after the Independent Higher Authority for Elections (ISIE) initially rejected it.

On August 10, the ISIE announced the preliminary list of three candidates for the upcoming presidential elections.

The preliminary list includes Tunisian President Kais Saied, who will run for a second five-year term, Secretary-General of the People's Movement Zouhair Maghzaoui, and Secretary-General of the Azimoun Movement Ayachi Zammel. ■