Tunisian President Kais Saied announces new electoral law will soon be ready

Legislation expected to be confirmed before legislative elections on December 17

Kais Saied greets his supporters in Tunis. Reuters

Tunisian President Kais Saied has said a new electoral law is being prepared and members of new constitutional court will also be announced soon.

In a late-night address to the nation, Mr Saeid officially signed the new constitution and gave permission for its official issuance in the country’s national gazette, after the ISIE electoral commission announced on Tuesday final results of the constitutional referendum held late last month.

“We have rectified the course of the revolution and the course of history,” Mr Saied, condemning what he considers as conspiring parties who attempted to make the referendum fail.

Tunisian President Kais Saied (2-R) celebrating with his supporters the almost certain victory of the 'yes' vote in a referendum on a new constitution, after the projected outcome was announced in Tunis. EPA

President Kais Saied celebrates with his supporters on Habib Bourguiba Avenue, Tunis. The referendum was on a new constitution that strengthens the powers of the head of state. AFP

President Kais Saied supporters celebrate. Reuters

President Kais Saied supporters celebrate in Tunis after the exit poll indicates voters backed Tunisia's new constitution. Reuters

Farouk Bouasker, president of the Independent Higher Authority for Elections, in Tunis. AFP

Members of the election committee open the ballot box at a polling station in Tunis. Reuters

Employees of the Independent Higher Authority for Elections begin counting the ballots. AFP

Tunisia's President Kais Saied casts his ballot at a polling station in Tunis in the country's referendum on a new constitution. Reuters

A woman shows her ink-stained finger at a polling station during a referendum on a new constitution in Tunis, Tunisia. Reuters

A Tunisian woman votes during a referendum on the draft constitution put forward by the country's president at a polling station in the Ben Arous region near Tunis. AFP

A woman shows her ink-stained finger as she holds the Tunisian flag at a polling station in Tunis. Reuters

A Tunisian woman votes during the referendum in the Ben Arous region near Tunis. AFP

A Tunisian man votes during the referendum at a polling station in the Ben Arous region near Tunis. AFP

A woman casts her vote at a polling station in Tunis. AP

Mr Saied leaves the polling station with his wife. Tunisia is holding a referendum on a new draft constitution proposed by the president to replace the 2014 constitution. EPA

Tunisians go to the polls on Monday to vote on a draft constitution proposed by President Kais Saied. Here, a vote is cast at a polling station in the capital, Tunis. AFP

Some Tunisians see the constitutional referendum as a vote for or against President Kais Saied, whose powers would increase if the new charter is approved. AFP

People cast their ballots at a polling station in Tunis on a referendum on a new constitution for Tunisia. Reuters

In a polling station in the Ariana district of Tunis, a citizen dips his finger in ink after taking part in a referendum on a draft constitution. AFP

Tunisians vote in a referendum on a draft constitution put forward by the country's President Kais Saied. The text has proved to be controversial and citizens have their say on Monday. AFP

A member of Tunisian security forces stands guard outside a polling station in Ariana district of Tunis. AFP

Tunisian election staff assist voters at a polling station in the Ariana district as citizens vote on a new constitution. AFP

Members of Tunisian security forces stand guard outside a polling station in Ariana district of Tunis. AFP

The new constitution had a 94.6 per cent approval rate, the electoral commission’s president Farouk Bouasker told a press conference at ISIE headquarters this week.

“Electoral laws are no less important than constitutions, its impact on institutions is not less than that of the constitution’s provisions,” Mr Saied said.

He said a new electoral law, replacing the one issued in 2014, would soon be ready, certainly before the legislative elections set for December 17.

The Tunisian President said new members of the constitutional court would be soon announced “to preserve the supremacy of the constitution and safeguard rights and freedoms”.