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Tunisians Head to Polls in Wide Open Election

Lisa Bryant

   TUNIS, TUNISIA - Tunisianswill chooseSundayfromnofewerthan 26
   candidatesin the country'sseconddemocratic presidential elections --
   moved up several weeks by July's death of PresidentBejiCaid Essebsi.

   But this first round, which precedes legislative elections and a likely
   runoff presidential vote,will take place against thebackdrop of a
   stagnating economy and a sense thatthe country's 2011 "Jasmine"
   revolution has failed to deliver on its promise.

   Theexperience offinal Friday night rallies in downtown Tunis wasa bit
   like going candidate shopping. Crowds backing the moderate Islamist
   Ennahdha Party packed one section of the iconic Habib Bourguiba Avenue,
   dancing and waving flags.
   Farther downweresupporters of leftist candidates
   HamamHammamiandMongiRahoui.

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