Tunisian election campaign kicks off

Campaigning has begun in Tunisia for the first elections since a popular revolution swept former dictator Zain El Abidin Bin Ali from power earlier this year, Press TV reports. Campaigns for the National Constituent Assembly (NCA) which is to draft the country's new constitution and supervise public affairs during transition period started on Saturday, a Press TV correspondent reported. The electoral campaign for the Tunisian expatriates had already started on September 28 and will continue until October 18. According to the preliminary statistics provided by the Independent Higher Authority for the Elections (IHAE), the number of candidates taking part in the NCA race stands at 10,937. Since the fall of Bin Ali, Tunisia has seen an explosion of political activity, with the formation of 111 political parties. A total of 81 parties will be competing in the election in 785 lists together with another 676 lists of independent candidates across 33 constituencies for 217 seats. According to the elections decree-law, the electoral campaign starts 22 days before election day and closes on October 21 just 24 hours before voting begins on October 23. Those elected will have a year to write a constitution to determine how Tunisia will be governed before elections for a parliament are held. Bin Ali was overthrown in January 2011 after a month-long popular uprising that inspired similar movements across the region. More than 200 people were killed in Tunisia's revolution, according to a United Nations report. Ben Ali's regime has been accused of widespread corruption as his relatives controlled much of the business sector in the country.