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 Reverend Ezekiel Naasu, the Sokode-Lokoe District Pastor of the Church of Pentecost, has asked Christians not to be afraid as God is with them. Delivering his message at the Christmas Convention on Sunday at Sokode-Lokoe in the Ho Municipality of the Volta Region, he said they should not let their hearts be troubled. 'There is peace on earth to God chosen ones and they shall not be the last, but winners,' the District Pastor said. 'Peace is progress, and you shall not die in poverty as you believe in Jesus Christ.' 'Jesus is born, and He is the Savior, Messiah and the anointed one.' Rev. Naasu said goodness and mercy shall follow those who believed in Christ and generation to generation would continue to mention their names. The convention is on the theme: 'Glory to God in the Highest, Peace on Earth to His Chosen People'. Source: Ghana News Agency