Candidates in the run-off local elections in the constituency of El Hichria-1 (Sidi Bouzid governorate), Thabet Jalali (279 votes, or 38.91% of the vote) and Mokhtar Machouch (215 votes, or 29.99% of the vote), presented their electoral programmes. Both candidates agreed on the urgent need to work towards the establishment of various public services, the relaunching of projects planned for the region and the generalisation of drinking water supplies. Independent candidate Thabet Jalali, 55, promised in his manifesto to speed up the implementation of the ARRU (Urban Rehabilitation and Renovation Agency) programme, the development of agricultural roads within the irrigated perimeter and the widespread provision of public lighting in the region's villages. He also spoke of the need to promote health services, address the lack of classrooms in primary schools and reinstate the weekly market. For his part, candidate Mokhtar Machouch, 55, a secondary school teacher, said he would work to realise the region's right to full local development, establish a municipality in the El Hichria delegation and promote the creation of a public services centre. He promised to equip the local hospital, promote the creation of a leisure area for young people, develop the region's infrastructure and improve access to drinking water. Source: Agence Tunis Afrique Presse