Tunisian presidential candidate Ayachi Zammel was sentenced to 20 months in prison for allegedly falsifying voter signatures, raising concerns of a rigged election aimed at keeping President Kais Saied in power.

A Tunisian court on Wednesday sentenced presidential candidate Ayachi Zammel to 20 months in prison, according to Zammel's lawyer, marking the latest development that has intensified opposition concerns of a manipulated election designed to maintain President Kais Saied's hold on power.

Zammel, who leads the opposition Azimoun party, was arrested two weeks ago on allegations of forging voter signatures on his candidacy papers—charges that Zammel claimed were fabricated by Saied.

Political tensions in Tunisia have escalated ahead of the October 6 election, especially after the electoral commission, which was appointed by Saied, disqualified three high-profile candidates this month. This decision sparked protests from opposition and civil society groups.

The electoral commission approved only the candidacies of the incumbent president, Zammel, and Zouhair Magzhaoui, who is viewed as an ally of Saied. This move defied a ruling by Tunisia's administrative court, which is the highest legal authority in election disputes.

Zammel's lawyer, Abdessattar Massoudi, expressed his frustration to Reuters, stating, "Today's verdict is politically motivated, unfair, and aims to undermine his chances in the presidential race."

Various rights organizations, political parties, and constitutional law experts have voiced their concerns, arguing that the commission's refusal to comply with the court's ruling is an unprecedented act that casts doubt on the legitimacy and legality of the election process.

President Kais Saied, who was democratically elected in 2019, has been criticized for consolidating power and ruling by decree since 2021, a move that the opposition has labeled a coup. His critics accuse him of using the electoral commission to ensure his re-election by suppressing competition and intimidating rival candidates.

In response, Saied has denied these accusations, asserting that he is combating traitors, mercenaries, and corrupt individuals and emphasizing that he will not become a dictator.

Other politicians have faced similar challenges. Abir Moussi, leader of the Free Constitutional Party, has been imprisoned since last year on charges related to harming public security. Another prominent political figure, Lotfi Mraihi, was jailed earlier this year for vote-buying in the 2019 election. Both had planned to run in the upcoming election but were prevented from submitting their candidacy due to their imprisonment.

Adding to the growing list of legal actions, another court recently sentenced four additional politicians, all of whom had intended to run for president, to prison and imposed a lifetime ban on them from participating in future elections.