- FJP News
- November 29, 2011
- 5 minutes read
FJP Press Release No. (5), Parliamentary Elections, 2011
Egyptian Parliamentary Elections
FJP Press Release No. (5) | 29-11-2011 , 10:30 am
At eight in the morning, the second day of the first phase of the parliamentary elections started. It witnessed a great turnout, with citizens heading for the polls to seal the historical achievement they began on the first day, which also saw an unprecedented turnout with estimated rate of 30 to 32%.
The following is a report on the latest developments until now:
First: The Electoral Process
The Egyptian people continued turning out to vote for the second day. Long queues are stretching in front of polling stations, dominating the scene, something that we expect to continue until the polls close at nine o’clock in the evening.
According to preliminary estimates, the first day saw the participation of 30 to 32%. Port-Said governorate ranked first in terms of voter turnout, reaching almost 45%, followed by Kafr El-Sheikh and Damietta, with rates approaching 40%. Then, Fayoum had a turnout that reached 35%, Luxur 30%, Alexandria 30%, Cairo 25%, Assiut 30% and the Red Sea 25%.
Second: Committees
Our representatives at polling stations have not observed any irregularities, so far. Although some polling stations did not open their doors since yesterday, in Helwan, Ain Shams, Cairo, Matareya and Luxor, we are assured that this delay is due to technical errors. However, we call upon the High Judicial Elections Commission (HJEC) to try and get those stations started, to facilitate the participation of the huge numbers of electorate for a second day of fabulous turnout where voters wish to contribute to shaping the future of their country in the next phase of its democratic experience.
Third: The Security Situation
Our representatives have not observed any security violations at or around the polling stations. Further, our representatives have not observed any violations of ballot boxes, which were guarded jealously by the armed forces, police and a large number of popular committees, which reflects the desire of everyone to achieve success for this electoral process.
Fourth: Media Performance
We call the Egyptian media, especially those owned by businessmen, to put the interests of Egypt before their own, and not to look for sedition, strife and crises. Instead, they should adapt and work in harmony with the new democratic situation and the Egyptian people’s free will, rather than swim against the tide of popular desire for stability and security. They have to serve noble national interests, rather than petty personal interests. Such limited personal interests, at best, may only be good for the owners of certain TV channels, who never cut off their affectionate relations with the former regime until now, or want to spark sedition and ignite crises to prevent Egypt from coming out of the bottleneck with peaceful transfer of power to a civilian regime that would achieve the ambitions of all Egyptians.
