Abderrahim Elected As Tunisians First Female Mayor

The capital of Tunisia  has elected its first-ever female mayor in the North African Country’s history.

Naija news learnt that  Souad Abderrahim, the candidate of Tunisia’s conservative Islamist Ennahda (Rebirth) party, was elected by members of Tunis’ 60-strong municipal council with 26 votes. Her nearest rival, Kamal Edir, the candidate of the Nidaa Tounes party of President Beji Caid Essebsi, got 22 votes.

Souad Abderrahim is officially elected as the Capital's first female mayor and proudly ready to take the title of Sheikh Medina – the first-ever female recipient of this title in the Muslim and Arab world. Congratulations to all Tunisians#Tunisia #Tunisie #تونس #Municipales2018

— Mohamed Ali Azaiez 🇹🇳 (@MohamedAlAzaiez) July 3, 2018

“I dedicate this win to all Tunisians and all women who have struggled to be in such senior positions,’’ Ms Abderrahim said following the vote.

Abderrahim, a 53-year-old pharmacist, was an elected member of the Constituent Assembly of Tunisia from 2011 to 2014. She now serves as a member of Ennahda’s policy-making committee.

Congratulations to Tunisian @EnnahdhaParty 's Souad Abderrahim for being elected as the first #female #mayor of the capital. #TnMunicipales18 https://t.co/mcTjJSQ7v7

— Abdullah Aydogan (@abdaydgn) May 7, 2018

The Ennahda party was the biggest winner in Tunisia’s May 6 municipal elections, the first since the 2011 uprising. The polls were seen as an important step in Tunisia’s democratic transition.

The constitution, approved in 2014, gives municipal councils vast powers, with the aim of boosting decentralisation. However, turnout was extremely sluggish, with just 33.7 per cent of the country’s 5.3 million eligible voters casting their ballots.