Fears of a Tunisian voter

Four tumultuous years have passed, filled with political tremors, serious mistakes, public outrage, and growing popular demands.

These years embody a beautiful dream from which the Tunisian people do not wish to wake. They wish this dream would continue both when they sleep and when they wake.

Despite all their flaws, these years have been unique, because in them the Tunisian people savoured the joy of freedom and expression after repression; the ecstasy of revolution following decades of silence; and the grandeur of pluralism following the misery of a despicable autocracy.

Yes, the prestige of the state declined, but the prestige of the citizens took its place. The aura of holiness disappeared from the presidency and from politics. Ministers, managers, sultans, cleaners, street vendors, and others all have a role in public affairs.

All are citizens, all are responsible, all are under the rule of law, all are subject to criticism, and all are called upon to serve the homeland.

As Tunisians go to the ballot boxes this weekend to vote in presidential elections, they are overwhelmed by a feeling of both joy and fear.

They are happy because they recognise they are their own masters and because they will choose the president they want from two dozen candidates vying for the seat in Carthage Palace.

This is a without precedent in the history of Tunisia and indeed, in all of Arab history. The president used to compete with himself, with one of his followers in a predetermined electoral farce, or even with his own shadow.

No predetermined victor

But today there is a hotly contested election in which no candidate can be confident of victory. The victor will not receive 90 percent of the vote. The large number of candidates will, of course, disperse the votes, and the voters will all have different opinions as to who should rule the country for the next five years.

Some have set their sights on freedom and shall accept no alternative. Some have a nostalgia for slavery and are eager to restore dictatorship. Others, traumatised by the difficult transition, have become malleable tools in the hands of those who buy consciences with corrupt political money.

It is right to fear for the fate of a young, delicate revolution.

I will enter the polling station and choose the candidate I trust to protect democracy and stand up to dictatorship.

Many are overwhelmed by fear as they see figures from the old era top the list of presidential candidates. They came back in a new disguise, having jumped on the bandwagon of democracy, feigned support for the revolution, and claimed to be experienced in the art of government.

What experience? Some have experience of running a state of repression, of torture dungeons, and of a series of election frauds.

Their presence surprises you, and you ask yourself: Where did they come from? What is our fate? What is their fate? Did they come to eliminate our revolution and steal our beautiful dream? Does their return mean the return of the nightmares of horror and threats, of security surveillance, night raids, subjection to the apparatus of a police state?

Did they return to confiscate our bold ideas, our newly born democracy, and our glorious diversity? Yes, I am afraid of the supremacy of one party, one man, and one set of political colours. I love the diversity of colour in the politics of Tunisia today.

Yes, I am afraid of being prevented from working again. From travelling, being successful, from thinking and speaking. I am afraid of choosing between prison and exile just because I support the political opposition. I am afraid of seeing the best citizens in my country pack and leave, again - and this time perhaps for good, fleeing repressive rule.

I am afraid of being ruled by people who, over decades, never uttered a single word against a tyrannical ruler, instead helping him, ruling in his name and under his orders, content with the crumbs he leaves them. If those people reclaim power, many will toe the line, and kiss the autocrat's hand. They will always applaud, with or without a reason.

These are genuine fears and it is essential, if not productive and creative, to recognise them.

I will enter the polling station, and choose the candidate I trust to protect democracy and stand up to dictatorship, the one who believes in a citizenship-based civil state, a state of rights and duties.

He or she may or may not win. What is important is that I will remain here to defend my freedom, even if that costs me my life.

Opinions expressed in this article remain those of the original author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of al-Araby al-Jadeed, its editorial board or staff.

This is an edited translation from our Arabic website.