Saied, 66, told reporters in the capital Tunis that his candidacy was part of "a liberation and self-determination war" set to "establish a new republic".

Experts say Saied's challengers face significant constraints in their bid to run for office.

But Saied on Monday denied that his government was repressing critical voices, saying that "whoever talks about restrictions is delusional".

"I did not oppress anyone, and the law applies to everyone equally," he said. "I am here as a citizen to run for office."

"We will not accept any foreign party interfering in the choices of our people," he added.

Saied's submission came just two days after that of Abir Moussi, a vocal critic of Saied who has been in jail since October.

Other jailed hopefuls include Issam Chebbi, leader of the centrist party Al Joumhouri, and Ghazi Chaouchi, head of the social-democratic party Democratic Current, both held for "plotting against the state".

"We are in a war of liberation and we don't want to restrict anyone's freedoms," the president said on Monday. "I did not interfere with the judiciary."

To be listed on the ballot, candidates are required to present a list of signatures from 10,000 registered voters, with at least 500 voter signatures per constituency.

Saied said he collected over 240,000 signatures.

* This story was edited by Ahram Online.