Africa News
Riots in Tunisia after poll results announced
Oct 27, 2011, 22:44 GMT
Tunis - Police in the central Tunisian town of Sidi Bouzid fired tear gas to disperse a crowd of more than 1,000 protesters who set fire to the municipality building and shops following the announcement of the country's official election results, eyewitnesses told dpa.
Sidi Bouzid is the town where Tunisia's revolution against the rule of ousted dictator Zine El Abidine Ben Ali began last December.
The demonstrators marched on the local offices of the Islamist party Ennahda, which was confirmed as the winner of Sunday's election, to protest the invalidation by the election commission of lists presented by a popular businessman.
Unofficial results had shown the party of Hechmi Hamdi, who hails from Sidi Bouzid but lives in London, winning more votes than Ennahda in that area.
But in announcing the results, the election commission said it had invalided his lists in six areas, including Sidi Bouzid, because of 'financing irregularities.'
Candidates are barred from using foreign funds towards their campaigns.
Police fired tear gas to repulse the protesters, who riposted by throwing stones.
There were no immediate reports of injuries.
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