Tunis protesters clash with police ahead of election

Hundreds of demonstrators marching in Tunis against Tunisian President Kais Saied clashed with security forces, two days before the presidential election.

The protest took place after Tunisia's parliament approved a law stripping the Administrative Court of its authority to adjudicate electoral disputes, fuelling opposition fears of a rigged result aimed at keeping Saied in power.

Protesters chanted "Out with dictator Saied" and "No fear, no terror, streets belong to the people" as scuffles with security forces broke out.

Tunisia's election pits Saied, who rights groups say has removed most democratic checks on his power, against a candidate who was suddenly jailed last month, Ayachi Zammel, and another who heads a minor political party and is a former Saied ally turned critic, Zouhair Maghzaoui.

Candidates who represented bigger opposition groups were already in prison or removed from the ballot by an electoral commission named by Saied, and an independent court has been stripped of authority to adjudicate on election disputes.

Critics claim Saied is using the commission to suppress competition and intimidate opponents, aiming to secure his victory. Saied refutes these allegations, asserting he's fighting against traitors and corruption, while denying any dictatorial intentions.

Major political parties, many of whose leaders are in prison, say Saied's years in power have eroded the democratic gains of Tunisia's 2011 revolution.

New York-based Human Rights Watch recently said that more than "170 people are detained in Tunisia on political grounds or for exercising their fundamental rights".

Saied is set to face former lawmaker Zouhair Maghzaoui, a supporter of Saied's power grab, and Ayachi Zammel, a little-known businessman who has been jailed since his bid was approved by ISIE, the election board, last month.

Zammel currently faces more than 14 years in prison over accusations of having forged election endorsement signatures, among others.