Authorities in Tunisia have arrested a presidential candidate, Nabil Karoui, on allegations of tax evasion and money laundering, according to his party.

The 56-year-old is one of the 26 contenders aiming to take over the presidency following the death of Beji Caid Essebsi last month.

Karoui is also the founder of local Nessma TV, which was also banned from reporting the presidential election campaigns for broadcasting “illegally” without a license.

Among the 25 candidates that will run alongside Karoui is Prime Minister Youssef Chahed, who hopes his popularity will earn him a win.

Initially scheduled for November, the Tunisian Presidential election will be held on 15 September.

For a candidate to be declared winner after the first round of voting, they must obtain more than 50 percent of the vote. If no candidate obtains that figure, a run-off poll will be held no later than 3 November.

Once a winner is declared, the North African country will have its second democratically elected president. Essebsi was the first, having served from December 2014.