The number of participants in the national consultation, launched in January, has reached 192,937 until Thursday at noon. The consultation will continue until March 20.
Some 144,119 men and 48,818 women have consulted the digital platform, out of 7,155,000 voters. The Tunisian population amounts to more than 11 million.
The age category (30-39 years) is the most concerned, with a 30% participation rate, while the 40-49 age group has a rate of 23%. As for young voters aged 20 to 29, their participation rate is around 19%.
Sociologist Sami Nasr told TAP on Thursday that the «very low» rate of participation in the national consultation is not surprising. It is explained by a reluctance of Tunisians to participate in public affairs in general and in politics in particular.
According to a study by the National Youth Observatory (ONJ), the reluctance of young people is estimated at 85% before the revolution. This rate dropped significantly to 15% after the revolution, before rising to 80% in recent years.
For the sociologist, the «unprofessional» communication policy of the state, either the President of the Republic (initiator of the consultation) or by the government, is one of the main causes of the low participation rate, one month after its launch.
«The state should have had recourse to communication professionals in order to put in place an innovative strategy to make the consultation a success,» he stressed.
For his part, Director General of Information Technology and Communication (ICT) Fethi Chihi told the media that participation in this consultation depends on the will of citizens because of its free nature.
He also pointed out that the highest rate of participation was recorded in the governorates of Tunis, Ben Arous and Sfax, while the governorates of Kébili, Tozeur and Tataouine are at the bottom of the ranking.
The participation rate abroad is relatively high in France, Canada and Germany, compared to the UK, Libya and Denmark.
The national consultation aims to allow all citizens, in Tunisia and abroad, to express their opinions and aspirations in complete freedom and transparency and to become actors in the strategic choices of the country.
The consultation is structured around six main areas: «elections and politics,» «economy and finance,» «social affairs,» «education and culture,» «development and digital transition» and «health.»
Source: Tap News Agency