Zammel’s sentencing is the latest step in a pre-poll crackdown that has extinguished hopes of a fair vote in Tunisia. The country had previously been considered the only example of a successful transition to democracy to have emerged from among the Arab countries that rose up against dictatorship in 2011.

Before Tunisian voters have their say in the presidential election on Oct. 6, state institutions have already had their say. The security services, judicial authorities, and the High Independent Electoral Authority (ISIE) have either obstructed or officially barred over a dozen potential candidates from running.

A candidate for president in Tunisia has been sentenced to 20 months in prison on election fraud charges that his attorney decried as politically motivated

A Tunisian judge has sentenced presidential candidate Ayachi Zammel to 20 months in prison on charges of falsifying and buying signatures required to file his candidacy, his lawyer confirmed to The National.