Tunisia holds first poll after Ben Ali

Tunisians are set to choose representatives for the new Constituent Assembly, the first poll since the fall of former president Zine El Abidine Ben Ali.

Nine months after toppling Ben Ali, Tunisians are expected to go to the polls on Sunday to elect representatives that will draft a new constitution and appoint a new transitional government to serve until the election of a permanent government, the Associated Press reported.

Seven million people are eligible to cast their ballots. More than 100 parties and a number of independents have registered to participate.

A total of 10,000 candidates are running in the elections; a high voter turnout is expected.

Eighteen seats in the new assembly will be retained for those elected by Tunisians living abroad, voting in six overseas constituencies.

About 5,000 Tunisian observers as well as 530 foreign observers will reportedly monitor the electoral process.

Former President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali was ousted by street protests in January after 23 years in power.

Ben Ali fled to Saudi Arabia as the Tunisian Revolution was gaining momentum.