Tunisians vote in free election

What?

What's happened? After the revolution which started on December 17, 2010, Tunisians have finally gone to the polls to elect their new leaders. After decades of corruption and human rights violations, Tunisians are now free to choose who they want to lead their country.

Who?

Who are their leaders? The results are not formal yet, but it seems that the Islamist Ennahda party has won. Its leader is Rachid Ghannouchi. Some people who want a secular government view him as a dangerous radical. But some religious fundamentalists view him as too liberal.

When?

When were the elections? Last Sunday.

Where?

Where is Tunisia? Tunisia is the northernmost country in Africa. It's in a region known as the Maghreb. The Maghreb is divided into five countries: Morocco, Algeria, Libya, Tunisia and Mauritania.

Why?

Why is the vote important? Tunisia is the country where the first revolution of the so-called Arab Spring was sparked. People rose up against the government when a trader set himself on fire in protest after being harassed by police. The rebellion soon spread to Egypt, where Hosni Mubarak was deposed, and Libya, where former leader Muammar Gaddafi was killed recently. Other countries affected by people's uprisings include Bahrain, Syria and Yemen.

How?

How will women be affected? Muslim fundamentalists are known for denying basic rights to women and non-Muslims. But Ghannouchi spent 22 years in Britain, which influenced his outlook. He says there will be no bar on women or non-Muslims running for election. He will have to appease both radicals and liberals in his country.