20111025
Press TV
With a turnout that has surpassed all expectations, the Tunisian election could set an example for the rest of the region, journalist and writer Adel Lotfi told Press TV in an interview.

Tunisians cast their ballots on Sunday in the country's first free election since it achieved independence from France in 1956, which is also the next step in the transition that began when dictator Zine El Abidine Bin Ali was ousted nine months ago.

“I hope that this election would give a good example for the newly in power authorities in Libya and the Libyan people,” Lotfi said on Sunday.

“And I hope it sets an example for the Egyptians so that they sort out their situation because it is very much in a mess,” he added.

Lotfi also pointed out that Tunisia is the “pioneer” in the wave of Islamic Awakening that is sweeping across region.

People in a number of Arab countries have held anti-regime demonstrations against oppressive leaders over the past ten months, and the demonstrations have already toppled Egypt's Hosni Mubarak and Libya's Muammar Gaddafi.

In addition, reports indicated that the turnout in Tunisia reached nearly 70 percent three hours left before the closure of the polling stations.

Tunisians are voting to select the members of an assembly that will appoint a new interim government as well as draft a new constitution.

A total of 10,000 candidates are running in the election. More than 100 parties and a number of independents have registered to participate, with the moderate Islamist Ennahda Party expected to win the most seats in the assembly.

Former President Ben Ali was ousted by massive street protests in January after 23 years in power and fled to Saudi Arabia.