Tunisia - Upcoming presidential elections are taking place amid heightened security

Tunisia will hold countrywide presidential elections on 23 November.

Authorities have just announced heightened security measures in the run up to and during the poll. In addition, media reports are telling is that border crossings between Libya and Tunisia, including the Ras Ajdir crossing, will be closed between 20 and 23 November, as a security precaution.

The forthcoming presidential elections follow legislative elections, which were held on 26 October. These polls, which were the first since a new government was installed in December 2013 under Prime Minister Mehdi Jomaa, passed without significant incident amid similar elevated security.

The risk of anti-government armed groups seeking to conduct attacks during the election period is assessed by the experts as being "marginally elevated". On a daily basis, Tunisia has a moderate threat of terrorism which this stems mainly from Islamist extremist groups situated in rural areas near the Algerian border.

In response to the threat, heightened security measures, which could include increased checkpoints and security force presence, are most likely in the vicinity of election-related sites and insecure locations along the shared borders with both Libya and Algeria in the coming days.

Associated road traffic disruptions are very probable on election day, particularly near election sites in major urban centres, due to possible increased security measures.

Finally, although not anticipated, civil unrest in the run up to and after the elections remains possible. The risk increases if the outcome of the poll is disputed. Anyone travelling or working in Tunisia over the upcoming election period should be careful near security force and election-related facilities and people. All street protests and politically motivated gatherings should be avoided.

Anyone planning to travel to Tunisia or the region can contact [email protected] for travel advice.

With thanks to Red24 for this update

Photo: vjv.com with thanks