The Tunisian General Labour Union (UGTT) on Saturday condemned a proposed change in the country’s electoral laws submitted 15 days before the presidential elections. In a letter published by Echaabnews, the organization’s media outlet, UGTT’s Secretary General Noureddine Taboubi rejected the amendment as unacceptable and demanded it be stopped. The president of Tunisia’s Bar Association, Hatem Mziou, has also denounced the amendment as “an unacceptable proposal in form and content.”

Tunisian lawmakers submitted a bill on Friday proposing to remove the country’s election oversight mechanisms by depriving the country’s administrative court of the power to decide election-related disputes. According to the proposed law, all electoral disputes would have to be submitted within 48 hours to intermediate or high courts, which are the general appellate courts. Distinct from these, the administrative court is independent, as it specifically has the authority to adjudicate government-related disputes.

This move comes at a time when the government has cracked down on critics and dissenters, with at least 97 opposition members being arrested earlier this month, according to Amnesty International. There are also claims of government institutions undermining the judiciary’s autonomy and authority. This has resulted in several human rights organizations announcing the creation of an international committee to advocate for freedoms in Tunisia.

UGTT, one of Tunisia’s most powerful unions, has previously criticized the country’s Independent High Authority for Elections (ISIE) for undermining a court’s decision to reinstate three presidential candidates and refusing their candidature. It has presently called for ISIE to respect the judiciary and electoral integrity.

Tunisia’s judicial independence and executive accountability have been adversely affected since the election of President Kais Saied, who greatly diminished judicial power and increased executive authority.