TUNIS, Oct. 4 (Xinhua) -- Tunisian Interim President Mohamed Ennaceur on Friday warned of "serious repercussions" that would harm the country's image if the equal opportunity principle among presidential candidates is not respected.
"There must be an honorable solution for the jeopardized election course due to the continued custody of candidate Nabil Karoui, the contender of Kais Saied in the 2nd round of the presidential election," said Ennaceur in a speech on the official Watania 1 TV.
Karoui, who founded the Heart of Tunisia Party, was arrested on Aug. 23, following a complaint filed by I Watch organization in 2016 that charged him with money laundering, tax evasion and fraud involving his brother Ghazi Karoui.
"One of the two candidates who won the first round is in prison and does not have the freedom to campaign or speak to his voters," Ennaceur said, referring to the detention of Nabil Karoui.
"After the elections, we must leave the way open to an opportunity for reconciliation and for the construction of the country," he said.
Ennaceur explained that the Assembly of People's Representatives, which he considered as an important pillar of the Tunisian state, "would embody the authority of the people and their ability to change and improve the current situation of the country."
Ennaceur also called on all Tunisians to participate massively in the legislative elections on Oct. 6 and the second round of the presidential election on Oct. 13.
Preliminary results released by the Independent High Authority for Elections on Sept. 17 showed that independent presidential candidate Kais Saied, a law professor, led the first round of presidential election by winning 18.4 percent of the votes, followed by Karoui, with 15.58 percent.
