Voting begins in historic election in Tunisia

Almost four million Tunisians have registered to vote in their country’s first ever democratic elections.

As the polls opened on Sunday, people patiently waited their turn, to cast their first truly free vote.

Over 100 political parties are fielding candidates to fill the 217 seat parliament. That body will then work on a new constitution and select a prime minister.

It is a momentous day for many, and the culmination of an uprising that started the Arab Spring and ousted former President Zinedine Ben Ali. One woman voting said she was overwhelmed: “I’m very happy. I’m feeling a lot emotions. We didn’t dare to hope that one day we would get the chance to vote in Tunisia.”

Some proudly showing their inked fingers – a sign that they had taken part in this historic ballot.

Voters will now have to wait and see if islamist party Ennhada wins the most seats as expected.

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