Video: Politics

video transcript

Tunisians line up outside a polling station in Tunis, as voting begins in the first election following the "Arab Spring" uprisings. This election is also the first free vote in Tunisia's history, and could set a standard for other Arab countries where uprisings have triggered political change. Tunisia set in motion protests across the Arab world 10 months ago, when mass demonstrations over poverty, unemployment and government oppression forced President Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali to flee to Saudi Arabia. Sunday's vote is for an assembly that will draft a new constitution to replace the one Ben Ali manipulated to entrench his power. The assembly will also appoint an interim government and set elections for a new president and parliament. Polls opened at 7 am local time, and were set to close at 7 pm. Travis Brecher, Reuters