TUNIS: The high commission responsible for planning elections in Tunisia on July 24 has opted for parity between men and women in the lists to be presented by political parties, officials said Tuesday.
The decree, passed Monday, also excludes as candidates anybody who served during the past 10 years in the government or the former ruling Constitutional Democratic Rally of ousted President Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali.

The parity between women and men among potential candidates in a system of proportional representation was welcomed by all members of the high commission, including representatives of the Islamist movement Ennahda.
“This is a historic day. We have got rid of all doubts on our determination to build democracy to bring about the birth of a new regime in Tunisia. The participation of women in decision-making is a historic decision,” Mokhtar Yahyaoui, a renowned human rights activist and member of the commission, told AFP.

“This is a very important step. Everything that has been decided today will be considered a reference point in the future and the principle of parity is truly revolutionary. This shows that there is a revolution in the minds of Tunisians,” said Kaltoum Ganou, a judge sitting on the commission.
Meanwhile, European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso said Tuesday said the bloc awaits “strong and clear” action from Tunisia to help stem the flow of migrants fleeing the country.