Ahmad 
Tunisian rapper Karim Ben Mohamed Gharbi, known as “Kadorim,” and director Nasreddine Sehili announced their candidacy for the Tunisian presidential elections scheduled for October 6.
In a video clip he posted on his ‘Facebook’ page, Kadorim, the son-in-law of former Tunisian President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, revealed his intention to run for president, noting that the sensitive situation in the country requires unifying ranks despite differences.
Kadorim explained that his decision was not easy, but he decided to take the plunge, expressing his hope that he would live up to the hopes and aspirations of citizens.
Similarly, director Sehili withdrew the popular endorsement form, and political activists and artists announced their support for him via posts on Facebook.
For his part, President Kais Saied confirmed last Friday his intention to run for the upcoming elections, noting that national duty requires him to respond to the call.
In a speech delivered from Burj Al Khadra in Tataouine, Saied warned against attempts at misleading and infiltration, calling for the rejection of any form of electoral corruption.
The Tunisian elections face major challenges, as the opposition accuses President Saied of putting pressure on the judiciary to eliminate his rivals.
The opposition expresses doubts about the possibility of holding fair elections, calling for the release of detained politicians and ensuring freedom of the media.
It is worth noting that Saied dissolved parliament in 2021 and began ruling by decree, in a move described by the opposition as a coup, while Saied justified it by the need to end rampant corruption.
In this context, a number of opposition leaders have been imprisoned, including Lotfi Mraihi, leader of ‘the Popular Republican Union party,’ on charges of buying votes, and Abir Moussi, leader of the Free Destourian Party, on suspicion of harming public security.
Other candidates, including Safi Saied, Nizar Chaari, and Abdel Latif Mekki, are facing prosecution on suspicions such as fraud and money laundering.
The Tunisian opposition accuses the electoral body of excluding some candidates