Japan's election monitors arrive in Tunisia

A team of Japanese election monitors arrived in Tunisia on Saturday, one day before the country's parliamentary election.

Japan is one of at least 15 countries and organizations that are sending monitors to the North African country.

The head of the Japanese team, Parliamentary Vice Foreign Minister Kazuyuki Hamada, said the election will be the first test for Tunisia's new democracy. He stressed the importance of Sunday's election, citing the impact it will have on North Africa and the Middle East.

Hamada said his team will closely monitor if all the candidates and political parties are given an equal opportunity, and if all voters can choose freely.

The Japanese election monitors are scheduled to visit about 6 polling stations in the capital Tunis and elsewhere on Sunday, to check for any irregularities.

Sunday, October 23, 2011 09:01 +0900 (JST)