(Transcript from SBS World News Radio)
Since its uprising in late 2010, Tunisia's advance towards full democracy has been seen as a model for the region.
The next step in that shaky advance is about to be taken, with parliamentary and presidential elections.
But it appears many Tunisians are disillusioned with the results of their revolution.
Kristina Kukolja reports.
(Click on the audio tab above to hear the full report)
Under a new Tunisian constitution adopted earlier this year, the first full parliamentary elections are to be held on October the 26th.
A month later, Tunisians will vote for a new President with extensive powers, including senior military and foreign policy appointments.
Bechir Neili is a resident of the city of Sidi Bouzid, the birthplace of the Tunisian revolution.
He says it's a patriotic duty for Tunisians to vote.
(Translated)"If someone did not register for elections and doesn't vote then he is not patriotic. I will never relinquish my duty, never! And I will not say that someone came to rule my country from nothing. No, I will stand tall."
It was in Sidi Bouzid in 2010 that street vendor Mohamed Bouazizi set himself on fire, igniting weeks of demonstrations that spread across the country and eventually unseated Zine al Abidine Ben Ali after 23 years of repressive rule.
Four years later, many residents of the town, like Jezia Ouled Ahmed, are disillusioned.
(Translated)"We have been hearing about elections, elections and elections for the past three or four years. Anyone would become despondent. How come we vote once, twice, then again and again? We should look after our homes, our children, our jobs and so many other matters."
Jezia Ouled Ahmed says she'd been expecting some quick changes after the former dictator was swept from power.
(Translated)"I don't have any confidence in politicians. No confidence. If they are worthy of our confidence then they wouldn't have left our country in this situation since the first year [since the revolution]. In theory, a good parent looks after his family, he rules it, he finds solutions. There were no solutions for us. There were many chiefs to run the country, so many that we don't understand anything."
Another resident of Sidi Bouzid, Hamdi Mnauour, is also doubtful about the upcoming elections.
He says there are simply too many candidates in the presidential race.
(Translated)"Everyone who has nothing better to do stands in the presidential elections. There is a special procedure, a precise law. The number of candidates must be limited. How could someone choose from over 70 candidates? It's quite hard."
Mounira Bouaziz is the regional co-ordinator of a NGO that encourages people to take part in the democratic process.
She agrees that many Tunisians are upset that they've seen little improvements in their lives since the revolution.
(Translated)"There are no jobs, no roads, no infrastructure and - that's not what I think personally, but they are the complaints of people around here. When we were in the field to encourage people to vote these were the only opinions of citizens."
Mounira Bouaziz says her group will continue to urge people to vote.
(Translated)"The Tunisian citizen does not understand at all and does not know what to choose. We have tried to make voting easier and enable their voices to be heard."
Tunisia's main Islamist party, Ennahda, won the first free election after the overthrow of Zine El Abidine Ben Ali in 2011.
But it was accused by opposition groups of disregarding the interests of a large secular urban population, and of being lenient toward radical Islamists.
When two secular opposition leaders were assassinated by Islamist militants last year, the only stable, democratic government to emerge from any of the Arab Spring revolutions appeared to be in jeopardy.
But then Ennahda stepped down, in favour of a non-partisan interim government.
Ennahda is one of the two front-runners to win next month's parliamentary election, and provide the next Prime Minister.
But the party is not contesting the presidential election, saying it made the decision in the interest of ensuring an inclusive government for all Tunisians.
