On 23 October 2011, Tunisia held its groundbreaking election of a new Constituent Assembly, the first pluralistic election in its history. The elected Assembly will have to adopt perhaps the most democratic constitution in the Arab world – and the Council of Europe will provide exclusive legal assistance in this process.

Tunisian judges and lawyers will arbitrate possible electoral disputes over such issues as the validity of candidates, violations of media neutrality and contested election results. This will influence the country's new path to democracy, as they will have the last word on how free and fair these elections are.

Specialists from the Venice Commission, the Council of Europe's advisory body on constitutional matters, were in Tunisia to provide international observers final pre-election advice. At the request of the Tunisian Bar, the Venice Commission organises, from 19 to 23 September 2011, a Training Seminar on electoral disputes. This seminar delt with disputes that may arise on: the validity of candidatures, the respect of the rules on the electoral campaign and the results of the election.

On 20-25 October 2011, Venice Commission experts returned to Tunisia to provide legal advice to the 40 members of the Council of Europe's Parliamentary Assembly (PACE) while they observed the elections of the Constituent Assembly of Tunisia on 23 October 2011.