Tunis 26 September 2004-- The Constitutional Council announced Sunday its decision to declare the validity the four candidacies for the office of President it has received since September 3rd.

The Council said it has reached its decision "after examining the documents pertaining to the various candidacies, following deliberations, and based on the provisions of the Constitutions and the Electoral Code."

The four validated candidacies are those presented by President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali,

Mr Mohamed Bouchiha, secretary general of the Popular Unity Party (PUP), Mr Mounir Beji, the president of the Social Liberal Party (PSL), and Mr Mohamed Ali Halouani ("Ettajdid Movement").

President Ben Ali had been nominated by the Democratic Constitutional Rally (RCD). His candadicy was also endorsed by two other opposition parties --the Democratic Unionist Union (UDU) The Social Democratic Movement party (MDS),  and has received the support of major natoinal organizations and unions in the country.

Reforms introduced prior to the 2004 elections have introduced a two-round voting system for presidential elections, established a maximum age ceiling of 75 years for candidacy to the office of president, and eased the conditions for running President.

Presidential and legislative elections will take place in Tunisia on Sunday, October 24, 2004 .

Tunisian nationals abroad can vote in the presidential elections. They will cast their ballots in various cities around the word from October 16 to October 23, 2004 .