Tunisian Prez asks elections body to prepare parliamentary polls

Tunis, April 5 (IANS) Tunisian President Kais Saied has urged the Independent High Authority for Elections (ISIE) to be ready to organise the legislative elections slated for December 17, according to a statement released by the presidency.

During his meeting with ISIE Vice-President Farouk Bouasker on Monday, Saied said, "It is imperative to preserve the independence and the neutrality of the body."

For his part, Bouasker highlighted the elections' importance for the country's political future and its stability, in addition to the ISIE's critical role to ensure the elections' success, Xinhua news agency reported.

Last week, the Tunisian President announced the dissolution of the Assembly of People's Representatives, or the parliament.

Tunisia's Islamist party Ennahdha (Renaissance) on Monday voiced its opposition to the dissolution of the Tunisian parliament.

According to a statement on its Facebook page, Ennahdha said the President's decisions "are in violation of the provisions of the constitution".

In December 2021, Saied announced a constitutional referendum will be held in July this year, followed by parliamentary elections at the end of 2022.