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Transcript/ScriptTUNISIA VOTE
HEADLINE: Tunisians Vote on Controversial New Constitution
TEASER: Many expect referendum will endorse polarizing draft charter spearheaded by Tunisia's president
PUBLISHED AT: 07/25/2022 at 4:55p
BYLINE: Lisa Bryant
DATELINE: Paris
VIDEO EDITOR:
PRODUCER:
SCRIPT EDITORS: MAS, Reifenrath
VIDEO SOURCE (S): AFP, VOA Original
PLATFORMS (mark with X): WEB __ TV X RADIO __
TRT: 2:43
VID APPROVED BY: Jepsen
TYPE: TVPKG
EDITOR NOTES: ))
((INTRO)) Tunisia voted Monday on a new constitution that supporters hope will end years of economic and political turmoil and that critics fear will end the Arab Spring’s only democracy. Though the opposition called for a boycott of the referendum, voters are expected to approve the new constitution pushed by Tunisian President Kais Saied. For VOA, Lisa Bryant reports from the Tunis suburb of Ariana.
((NARRATOR))
In interview after interview at polling stations like this one, the answer is the same.
((Haifa Ben Hadj Yahia, Voter — Female in French — VOA Original))
“I’m voting yes for a better future. We’re hoping this vote will bring us a better Tunisia."
((NARRATOR))
Among working and middle-class people here in the Tunis suburb of Ariana, people are voting for change from hard economic times — even if most haven’t read the draft constitution they’re voting for.
((Kamel Hammami, Voter — Male/French — VOA Original))
“I’m voting yes because the program of [President] Kais Saied is the best for everyone.”
((NARRATOR))
Same sentiments at another Ariana polling station.
((Slah Eleuch, Voter — Male in French - VOA Original))
“It’s been total mayhem these last years. We need change for the better. It’s now or never.”
((NARRATOR))
Tunisian President Kais Saied says this referendum — coming exactly a year after he seized far-reaching powers — gives citizens a say after years of political gridlock and guarantees the country a brighter future.
His draft constitution enshrines a strong presidency and sharply weakens judicial and legislative powers.
Opposition parties and civil society groups say Saied’s charter paves a U-turn back to authoritarian rule — unravelling freedoms and rights won in Tunisia’s 2011 revolution.
((Hamady Majoub, Boycotting Election — FEMALE IN FRENCH - VOA ORIGINAL))
“I’m abstaining. … I don’t believe in the results of this vote. I won’t endorse a procedure that I think is illegal.”
((Monica Marks, New York University Abu Dhabi — ENGLISH - VOA Original))
“This is the moment when Tunisian democracy, at least for now, dies. // Its democratic transition was not consolidated. It had a lot of flaws… // But Tunisia got further than any other Arab or Muslim country.”
((NARRATOR))
Recent demonstrations against the draft charter were marred by violence.
This election observer says he hasn’t seen problems so far but is worried about other irregularities such as unlawfully using the national flag on campaign posters and voter pressure.
((Issam, National Election Observer — VOA Original)) ((ENGLISH))
“I'm worried about the way Kais Saied’s people, Kais Saied’s supporters, are behaving towards others who are against the referendum, against Kais Saied. They are talking about that people are not patriots, that people are taking money from abroad…”
But many voters here are more worried about making ends meet. They’re hoping today’s vote, somehow, will make a difference.
((Lisa Bryant, for VOA News, Ariana, Tunisia))
NewsML Media TopicsArts, Culture, Entertainment and Media
NetworkVOA
Location (dateline)Paris
Embargo DateJuly 25, 2022 19:04 EDT
Byline((Lisa Bryant, for VOA News, Ariana, Tunisia))
Brand / Language ServiceVoice of America - English
