Tunis 10 September 2004-- Mr Mohamed Bouchiha, secretary general of the Popular Unity Party (PUP), officially presented Friday his candidacy to the office of President.

Mr Bouchiha, who submitted his candidacy papers to the Constitutional Council in Tunis, is the second candidate to officially file his candidacy. The incumbent, President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, has presented his candidacy last week. Two other opposition figures, from the Ettajdid and the Social Liberal Party, are still to officially present their candidacies.

Speaking to the media after presenting his candidacy, Mr Bouchiha said he was running for the office of president as part of "the dynamic of political reform taking place in Tunisia since November 7, 2004." He added that, "running for the office of president was never on our minds as members of the opposition before then."

Mr Bouchiha noted that his candidacy "is a contribution" by his party to the "consecration of tolerance of differences and the consolidation of the pluralistic experience."

During last presidential elections, in 1999, President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali was challenged by two opposition leaders but overwhelmingly won the vote.

Reforms have been introduced to prepare for the 2004 elections. Adopted provisions include the introduction of a two-round system for elections, establishing a maximum age ceiling of 75 years for candidacy to presidential elections, and easing the conditions for running for the office of President.

Legislative elections will place the same day than presidential elections, on October 24, 2004. Among the country's seven opposition parties, five are today represented in Parliament. The Democratic Constitutional Rally holds the majority in the Chamber of Deputies.