Polling stations - a total of 4,685- opened across Tunisia on Sunday at 8 am for December 24 local elections. Tunisians started casting their ballots to elect 2,434 members of 279 local councils. The elected officials will determine the composition of the National Council of Regions and Districts - a second parliamentary chamber under Tunisia's bicameralism as set out in July 25, 2022 Constitution. Polling centres in 2,155 constituencies drawn in 2,085 imadas will close at 8 pm. The total number of candidates stands at 7,205, including 1,028 with disabilities. Voters will elect their representatives among 6,177 candidates. The Independent High Authority for Elections (French: ISIE) will then opt for sortition to designate a local representative with disabilities in each of these 279 councils. The total number of registered voters stands at 9, 079, 271, ISIE data show. Preliminary results of the first round will be announced no later than December 27. Final results will be announced before January 27, 202 4, once the deadline for challenges expires. Journalists and observers from civil society organisations are present on this polling day. The number of accreditation applications received by the election commission stands at 3,165, including 900 filed by journalists (58 of whom are foreign journalists) and 2,265 by observers (40 of whom are foreigners), said ISIE's Farouk Bouasker. Source: Agence Tunis Afrique Presse