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President Ben Ali signs executive order calling for referendum
Tunis, 3 April 2002 (TunisiaOnline)
President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali signed today the executive order calling voters to take part in a referendum regarding the constitutional reform bill adopted Tuesday night by the Chamber of Deputies.
According to the executive order, the referendum will be held on May 26, 2002. It will be preceded by a two-week "explanatory campaign" starting May 12.
Tunisian news agency, TAP, said the Tunisian president emphasized on this occasion the " importance of this event which consecrates the will of the people and the right of all citizens at home or abroad to make their choice and to vote on the bill in a climate of democracy" . The President, it added, "gave his instructions so that public authorities ensure all he transparency, public service neutrality and the respect of the law needed to hold the campaign and the referendum in adequate circumstances".
The country's political parties are expected to take part actively in the discussions and debates in the pre-referendum campaign.
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