The Independent High Authority for Elections (ISIE) is ready, at all levels, to organize the municipal elections, its spokesperson Mohamed Tlili Mansri stated in an exclusive interview with Tunisie Numérique. Their organization remains conditioned, however, on the publication of a decree summoning voters by the President of the Republic.
According to him, the legislative framework for the municipal elections is now complete. The next legislative elections are, for their part, envisaged in November or December 2027.
A legislative framework now complete according to ISIE
Mohamed Tlili Mansri explained that Decree-Law No. 4 of 30 September 2026, which, according to his statements, repeals the Code of Local Authorities, has completed the legislative framework necessary for organizing the municipal elections.
He recalled that this text was preceded by Decree-Law No. 8 of 2023, modifying the provisions of the electoral law relating to municipal elections to establish a ballot based on individual candidacies.
Municipalities now have, according to the ISIE spokesperson, a new organic law adapted to this electoral system. He sees it as a step toward holding the ballot.
The calling of voters remains awaited
While reaffirming the body’s readiness, Mansri stressed that the organization of the municipal elections requires a decree summoning voters issued by the Head of State. He specified that the ballot in question does not, in his assessment, fall within the framework of periodic elections.
He believes there is enough time to organize these elections, which take place in a single round. From the moment the summons decree is published, the ISIE will be required to organize them within three months, he added.
Municipal and legislative elections simultaneously?
Asked about the possibility of holding the municipal elections at the same time as the legislative elections expected at the end of 2027, Mansri said that nothing opposed it on legal and theoretical grounds.
However, ISIE prefers to separate the two electoral processes. The objective, he explained, is to allow voters to choose their representative in the Assembly of the People’s Representatives in a separate ballot from that for municipal councillors, in order to avoid confusion arising from the presence of two ballot boxes.
The legislative elections planned for late 2027
Mohamed Tlili Mansri indicated that the next legislative elections should be held at the end of 2027.
He recalled that the deputies took an oath in March 2023 and that their mandate would end, according to his statements, in March 2028. On this basis, the ISIE plans to schedule the ballot in November or December 2027.
