Tunisians wait in peace for first election after unrest

Tunisians who bore the first torch of anti-government protests that swept the Arab countries this year saw the closure of the election campaign for the National Constituent Assembly at midnight of Friday, waiting peacefully for the election scheduled for Sunday. "This is a historical time of Tunisia. We should be calm and be wise," said a volunteer, Hamza, adding that his motherland can't stand turbulence any more. The Tunisian interim government has deployed more than 20,000 soldiers and 20,000 policemen all over the country to have a peaceful and safe election. Amin Gara, a teenager aged 15, wished the upcoming election can brought safety to his life that some Tunisians haven't seen for 10 months. "I just want to be a normal teenager like boys in other countries, get pocket money from my parents, study and keep my own dream," Gara said. According to the figures issued by the Independent High Commission of Elections (IHCE), more than 4.4 million Tunisians have registered for their vote, and they will elect 217 representatives from 11,686 candidates to form the National Constituent Assembly which will draft a new constitution. "I hope this election can bring changes to my life," said Amin Gamal, a vendor who sold popcorns near the Interior Ministry which saw heavy military presence. "My life was changed. Right now I am jobless and I can barely raise my family with this stall. I wish whose who will be elected can take care of my life and my family," said Gamal. The IHCE has altogether set 33 constituencies, 27 in Tunisia and six others abroad. More than 330,000 have registered for the election out of the 650,000 Tunisians living abroad that are eligible to vote. "I believe this election will be a well-organized and transparent one with credibility," said a local observer Agmes.