FJP Press Release No. (38), Day 1, Final Round of Egypt’s Legislative Elections

FJP Press Release No. (38), Day 1, Final Round of Egypt’s Legislative Elections

 Cairo – Tuesday, January 03, 2012AD – 9PM (19:00GMT)


 
Polling stations closed their doors, at the end of the first day of the first round for the third and last phase of parliamentary elections, which witnessed a heavy turnout among the provinces participating in this stage of nearly 35%. Whilst the governorates of Dakahlia and Qaliubiya recorded the highest turnout, followed by Gharbiya, Minya, North Sinai, South Sinai and Al-Wadi Al-Jadid, the governorates of Qena and Marsa Matrouh recorded the lowest voter turnout.

 
At the end of the first day of this round the FJP has this to say:

 
* The Freedom and Justice Party (FJP) expresses its most sincere gratitude and appreciation to the Egyptian people, who continue to show the whole world that they are able to create and shape their own future through this great, confident participation in the first day of elections’ third phase, marked by many positive images that emphasised the Egyptian people’s awareness and their determination to complete the first stages of democratic transformation, to rebuild their country and put it at the forefront of world top nations. We, therefore, renew our call for Egyptian people, the makers of this tremendous democratic experience, to continue their positive participation during the second day of this third phase.

 
* The FJP observed many violations and abuses carried out by rival parties in the election campaign. An FJP supporter (professor Islam Al-Sayed Mustafa) was even attacked in Dakahlia governorate, and suffered a severe cut in the head. Such brutal actions are far beyond fair political competition, which must be based on mutual respect. The party has filed a law suit with regard to this serious incident, which is now before the Public Prosecution; we trust they will take necessary actions to protect citizens and safeguard their rights.

 
* The FJP calls upon the High Judicial Elections Commission (HJEC) to deal with the violations which occurred during the first day of this round, such as the presence of staff in the polling stations who are relatives of a number of candidates, as was the case in some stations in Zefta (Gharbiya Governorate), Dakahlia, Bir Al-Abd (North Sinai) and Qena governorate. Furthermore, some polling stations witnessed other violations like judges expelling candidate delegates out of the stations thus depriving them of their legal right to be present and observe the electoral process.