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The more we delay elections, the more problems we will have, says Radhouane Masmoudi

Met recently at an event organized around the theme “mechanisms and procedures to ensure transparency of the next elections,” Radhouane Masmoudi, President of the Centre for Studies on Islam and democracy supported the decision Ali Larayedh to remain in power to complete this last phase of transition. This is a critical step to ensure the transparency of elections to be held according to him within four months at the latest.

Interview:

How do you assess the political landscape in Tunisia since the last political assassination in Tunisia, that of Mohamed Brahmi?

Unquestionably, we are going through a period of turbulence. Worse, we have security problems and face the specter of terrorism. Add to this the political assassinations with the murder of two opposition politicians: Chokri Belaid and Mohamed Brahmi. It was a shock for all Tunisians.

Despite this climate of crisis, we must remain united when confronting these problems, which are becoming more worrying and priorities for all stakeholders who must demonstrate a strong sense of responsibility and embrace national unity, because of the critical phase currently underwent by the process of transition.

We are now at the end of this phase, which requires the combined efforts of all forces. Our duty is to complete this phase since the murderers of two politicians wanted to push the country into chaos through acts of terrorism, explosion of malls and security premises as well as other political assassinations.

So we are called to end to this dangerous phenomenon which threatens the stability of the country and be firm with those who call for violence.

The crisis is getting worse with a government that still clings to power and an opposition that continues to put pressure, by calling for the formation of a non-partisan government. What do you think?

I’m in favor of the government remaining in power and the NCA resuming its work after a deadlock that has lasted too long and to complete the drafting of the Constitution while adopting an electoral law and setting up the high independent election body.

I think in a month we could achieve this goal, including the formation of a national unity government whose members are independent able to manage urgent files and bring this to an end by ensuring “fair” elections.

In democratic countries, it is not mandatory for the government to be independent. In Tunisia, we are going through a transitional phase and we have no democratic institutions and the democratic culture that exist in other countries. To reassure the various political partners and all Tunisians about the neutrality of the government, it is necessary to agree on the government once the constitution completed.

In this particular climate, is it possible to organize the next elections in four months?

This is possible if there is political will. I can say there is a will now though we still have problems. It is possible to organize the elections within 4 to 6 months.

But it is very urgent to finish this phase. The more we delay the elections, the more problems there will be. For now, it is time to sit around the same table to find a way out of the crisis, by placing above all the national interest consisting in finishing the constitution and moving to the next elections.

Which mechanisms are needed to ensure that elections are transparent and credible?

Several mechanisms are possible to meet this challenge. We may cite the revision of the electoral law and the importance of electing members of the ISIE as soon as possible. Another mechanism, the one related to the issue of political funding which should be properly examined so that the law is respected by everybody.

Emphasis should also be placed on the issue of Tunisian and international observers, knowing that we need a thousand observers to ensure the transparency of these elections.

There is a lot of work to do during these four months. This is why we started with that meeting without waiting for the resolution of the current crisis because we able to do both things at once.

Is it possible to ensure the transparency of elections, knowing that many observers have warned against the possibility of the return of corruption through political funding?

It is more than possible, duty dictates it if we want stability, peace and democracy for Post-January 14 Tunisia. We have no other choice.

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