The First Free Tunisian Election Is Heading Toward a Runoff
Neither of the two main candidates is likely to win an outright majority in the first free Tunisian presidential election, with a runoff likely. Former Prime Minister Beji Caid Essebsi appears to be in front for the Dec. 28 second round, after receiving between 42 and 47 of the vote according to two private exit polls, the New York Times reports. , His opponent, interim President Moncef Marzouki, won between 29 to 32 of the vote. Tunisia comes out of two disorderly years governed by an Islamist-led coalition, of which Marzouki's party was a part. The electoral commission said voting participation was 60, reports the Associated Press. Official results are expected in the coming days.