Global General

Tunisia to keep Oct 16 election date

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2011-05-27 16:42

TUNIS - Chairman of the Tunisia's independent election commission Kamel Jendoubi reiterated the commission's decision to uphold the Oct 16 election date instead of the initial government-suggested date of July 24, the official TAP press agency reported.

The commission will avail itself of its mission in agreement with the calendar already submitted to the interim president and prime minister, Jendoubi said Thursday, adding that the country's government had pledged to provide the commission with all necessary means to accomplish its task.

He also said the commission needed more time to prepare electoral lists, in addition to ensuring the renewal of some 400, 000 old identity cards.

Evoking the impact of the delay on the country's public opinion, Jendoubi said that telling the truth to the Tunisian citizen is a "duty", while reaffirming his trust in the "intelligence" and "moderation" of Tunisians.

The final decision concerning the final election date for the country's constituent assembly will be given by the country's interim president within a day or two.