TUNIS: Tunisians voted in the runoff of the country’s first free presidential election yesterday, after authorities urged a big turnout to consolidate democracy following a chaotic four-year transition.
Anti-Islamist Nidaa Tounes party chief Beji Caid Essebsi, 88, quickly claimed victory over incumbent Moncef Marzouki, whose camp dismissed the claim as unfounded.
After polls closed at 1700 GMT, Essebsi’s campaign manager Mohsen Marzouk said early indicators signalled an Essebsi victory, without elaborating.
Official results are due as early as today evening.
Essebsi appeared on national television while his supporters shouted “Long live Tunisia!”
AFP
