A member of the board of directors of Tunisia’s Independent High Electoral Commission (IHEC), Ayman Bouktas, confirmed that the electoral body has received 17 files from potential candidates for the presidential election scheduled for 6 October.

The board of directors of the IHEC “will begin considering the submitted files on Wednesday and will continue for four days, after which the preliminary list of those accepted will be announced on Sunday”, he said.

Once the preliminary list is announced, he said, appeals will be filed with the administrative judiciary in the first instance, then with the appellate chambers in the second instance, before being heard by the full administrative court.

The period for accepting candidates for the presidential elections began on 29 August and ends today, 6 August.