Tunisia is holding its second free presidential election since the 2011 uprising that toppled former president Ben Ali and sparked the Arab Spring. <br />''<br />''Today, the first round of voting will take place. The second round, if needed, will be on September 22.<br />''<br />''The presidential vote was due to take place later in the autumn following parliamentary elections, but was abruptly brought forward after the death of the incumbent, Béji Caïd Essebsi, in July. <br />''<br />''A candidate needs a majority of votes to win the election. If no-one gets a majority in the first round, the two candidates with most votes will face a second, decisive round. <br />''<br />''Twenty-six candidates, including two women, are running in the election. Parliamentary elections are scheduled to take place in October.