Tunis, August 5 (TAP) - President Kais Saied submitted Monday his candidacy file for the presidential election scheduled for October 6, 2024.

Speaking to reporters, Saied said he had secured a total of 242,224 endorsements until dawn on Monday, August 5. "Endorsements, both at home and abroad, continue to pour in by tens of thousands," he added.

President Saied said his re-election bid is part of a "war of national liberation." "This is a war for self-determination," he added, while rejecting "any foreign interference in the choices of the Tunisian people- the people being the holders of sovereignty."

Commenting on difficulties faced by some candidates in obtaining their criminal record extracts and collecting endorsements, President Saied said "the law applies to everyone equally and without exception."

"No pressure has been exerted on anyone," he further said. "Those who complain of obstacles and difficulties seek to sow chaos and discord and spread rumours and lies,"

the President undelined.

In remarks about a potential revision of the cybercrime Decree-Law no. 2022-54 , President Saied said freedoms are not threatened. "We are fighting for freedom; we do not wish to restrict anyone's freedom."

A special pardon, he added, had been granted on Republic Day to several bloggers detained under Decree-Law No. 54.

The President said he had not initiated any legal action against anyone under Decree-Law No. 54. It was the public prosecutor's office which, on its own initiative, had taken up some cases.

In response to a question about his economic and social programme, President Saied said the establishment of the National Council of Regions and Districts will enable "marginalised citizens to participate in decision-making."

He also criticised the deterioration of public services, such as health, transport, and education, and underscored the importance of the state's economic and social role.