A Judicial Report Confirms Serious Breaches in the Run-Off of the Stage 2 Parliamentary Election

A Judicial Report Confirms Serious Breaches in the Run-Off of the Stage 2 Parliamentary Election


 by Yasser Hadi
The first report published by the Egyptian Society for Enhancement of Social Participation on the run-off of the second stage of the Parliamentary Elections confirms that voters were prevented en-masses from casting their votes by police officers. The report refers to the arrest of number of the MB candidates in addition to Human Rights observers- NGOs- from entering the polling stations for monitoring purposes.
In Shobra Al-Khaima, 2nd Constituency, the door of the polling stations opened as late as 9:30 under the false cover of the lack of the phosphoric ink. After 9:30 only 3 stations were opened namely Secondary Girls, 15th May and Omar Abdol-Aziz. The Constituency has witnessed an intensive police presence much higher than that of the first stage. In spite of all these obstacles the Constituency has witnessed since very early in the morning the arrival of large numbers of citizens arrived at polling station to cast their votes. The security police have prevented the electorates from entering the polling stations-which is the common feature in this run-off- in spite of all preparations and the completeness of all formalities which lead to friction between electorates and police forces. The Society’s observers referred to similarity of prevailing atmosphere during the early hours of today to 2000 election where the common factor is heightened tension between the security forces and the citizens.
The report also added that Al-Faiyoom has witnessed number of breaches including; not opening the doors of the polling stations in Sannoris Constituency for a very long time after the official starting time in spite of the presence of huge crowds of people waiting outside since early morning to cast their votes; the violent behaviour of the security forces with electorates a
 Well as smashing one of the MB member’s personal computer; the arrest of some MB members earlier this morning including Ashraf Mohamed Farahat, Ramadhan Mohamed Abdol-Tawwab, Karam Mohamed Mostafa, Salamah Abdol-Azeam, as well as preventing the Society’s observers from entering into polling stations. In Ebshewai District, where the MB candidates contesting the seat currenltly held with the incumbent Dr Yusof Wali’s, a previous Cabinet Minster of Agriculture and one of the ex-pillar of the ruling NDP executive committee where the Society’s observers have witnessed the transfer of Jamal Yahiya, the Chief Engineer away from his place of work for his apparent support for the MB candidate during the first stage of election earlier this month. The Sherrif of Ibshewai District was also transferred from his current position after finalising the first stage of election without any given reasons up till now. The rumour has it as this was due to his support for the NDP candidate in Abo-Kesah Village. On the other hand, the local residents of Al-Mashraj South region, the homeland of the MB candidate were confronted by large number of thugs standing outside the polling stations to prevent electorates from entering to cast their votes as well as forcedly withdrawing the ID of one of the Human Rights NGO’s observers and preventing him from entering to monitor the election process. The report also indicated that the Suez Governorate polling stations have witnessed the arrest of a number of the supporters of the MB candidates including Reddah Desoqi, Nasseroldene Mahmood, Ala’a Ghareab who were picked up in front of polling stations at Port tawfeeq, Salah Naseem and Salah Salem Schools in the first and second constituencies under the false reason of causing delay to the electoral process. The report also pointed out to the closure by the police of all streets that lead to the polling stations and denial of passage to all electorates but those who carry polling cards amongst the NDP supporters. The Human Right NGO’s observers were denied access to polling stations in Al-Janaien region as well as in Faisal region due to a heated row between the security forces and the observers.