Low Numbers of Tunisians Vote on a New Constitution
2022-07-27
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1Early results show a new Tunisian constitution that expands presidential powers has passed, but with very low voter turnout.
2It is estimated that less than one third of voters completed ballots in the referendum.
3President Kais Saied dismissed parliament last year.
4Since then, he has governed with expanded powers gained through his own orders.
5Saied offered the new constitution last month.
6Opposition parties boycotted the referendum.
7They said the new laws destroy democracy in Tunisia which was put in place after the 2011 uprising known as the Arab Spring.
8Tunisia is the only country to have established a democracy as a result of the uprising.
9However, Tunisia now faces an economic crisis with the public mainly concerned about financial issues.
10The country is seeking a $4 billion load from the International Monetary Fund, or IMF, to rescue the economy.
11But workers groups opposed reforms required by the IMF including the removal of price supports for food and fuel.
12An opinion study by French financial company Sigma Conseil found that 92 percent of people who voted in the referendum supported the new constitution.
13An early report from the electoral commission said that, of those who could legally vote, only 28 percent did so.
14Voter turnout is believed to have been the lowest since 2011.
15Official numbers for the referendum will be closely watched.
16Early results are expected Wednesday with the final result being announced on August 28.
17Tunisia's new constitution gives the president additional power over the government and courts.
18It has been described as giving the president full executive powers.
19The opposition says the president's moves last year represent a seizure of power and rejected the referendum as illegal.
20Western democracies have looked to Tunisia as the only success story of the Arab Spring, a pro-democracy movement that swept the Middle East in 2011.
21Over the past year, they have urged the country to return to the democratic path.
22President Saied completed his ballot Monday and said the referendum provided the start of a new republic.
23But critics warn that the new constitution could lead to the one-party rule that existed under former president Zine El Abidine Ben Ali.
24Samia is a married woman in Tunis with a teenage son.
25She did not want to vote.
26"I'm frustrated by all of them," she said.
27But voter Yahia Arafet said: "This was an important day. I hope all Tunisians vote to raise the country's level and improve it."
28I'm Dan Friedell.
1Early results show a new Tunisian constitution that expands presidential powers has passed, but with very low voter turnout. 2It is estimated that less than one third of voters completed ballots in the referendum. 3President Kais Saied dismissed parliament last year. Since then, he has governed with expanded powers gained through his own orders. Saied offered the new constitution last month. 4Opposition parties boycotted the referendum. They said the new laws destroy democracy in Tunisia which was put in place after the 2011 uprising known as the Arab Spring. Tunisia is the only country to have established a democracy as a result of the uprising. 5However, Tunisia now faces an economic crisis with the public mainly concerned about financial issues. The country is seeking a $4 billion load from the International Monetary Fund, or IMF, to rescue the economy. But workers groups opposed reforms required by the IMF including the removal of price supports for food and fuel. 6An opinion study by French financial company Sigma Conseil found that 92 percent of people who voted in the referendum supported the new constitution. An early report from the electoral commission said that, of those who could legally vote, only 28 percent did so. 7Voter turnout is believed to have been the lowest since 2011. Official numbers for the referendum will be closely watched. 8Early results are expected Wednesday with the final result being announced on August 28. 9Tunisia's new constitution gives the president additional power over the government and courts. It has been described as giving the president full executive powers. 10The opposition says the president's moves last year represent a seizure of power and rejected the referendum as illegal. 11Western democracies have looked to Tunisia as the only success story of the Arab Spring, a pro-democracy movement that swept the Middle East in 2011. Over the past year, they have urged the country to return to the democratic path. 12President Saied completed his ballot Monday and said the referendum provided the start of a new republic. 13But critics warn that the new constitution could lead to the one-party rule that existed under former president Zine El Abidine Ben Ali. 14Samia is a married woman in Tunis with a teenage son. She did not want to vote. "I'm frustrated by all of them," she said. 15But voter Yahia Arafet said: "This was an important day. I hope all Tunisians vote to raise the country's level and improve it." 16I'm Dan Friedell. 17Mario Ritter Jr. adapted this story from Reuters for VOA Learning English with additional material from the Associated Press. 18____________________________________________________ 19Words in This Story 20turnout -n. the number of people who go to or take part in something such as a vote or an event 21executive -adj. responsible for making sure laws are carried out and for managing the affairs of a nation or state 22referendum -n. an event in which the people of an area vote for or against a law that deals with a specific issue 23frustrated -adj. angry, discouraged or upset because of being unable to do or complete something 24We want to hear from you. 25We have a new comment system. Here is how it works: 26Write your comment in the box. 27Under the box, you can see four images for social media accounts. They are for Disqus, Facebook, Twitter and Google. 28Click on one image and a box appears. Enter the login for your social media account. Or you may create one on the Disqus system. It is the blue circle with "D" on it. It is free. 29Each time you return to comment on the Learning English site, you can use your account and see your comments and replies to them. Our comment policy is here.