(VOVworld) - Voting under way in Tunisia to elect a 217-member assembly as country proceeds with road to democracy. Voting opened at 7am on Sunday in more than 4,500 polling booths.

Supporters of the Nida Tounes (Call of Tunisia) secular party movement wave flags while celebrating during the party's election campaign in Tunis Oct.21, 2014. (Photo: Reuters)

Results are expected to follow shortly after.  More than 100 political parties are running. Former President Ben Ali officials are allowed to run and are expected to win in regional cities where they remain popular. More than 5.2 million people are eligible to vote, but there are concerns that turnout will be low despite widespread awareness campaigns educating citizens on the importance of voting.
Tunisian media has reported cases of fraud including bribes in the run-up to the polls, and accused some political parties of intimidation. Such violations, however, could not be proven by the Independent High Authority for the Elections.