Scores of MB Members Arbitrarily Detained and Assaulted

Despite assurances and avowals by the ruling party’s officials that Egypt’s parliamentary elections will be free, fair and transparent, the run up reveals the opposite. Current incidents in Egypt’s governorates indicate that there is no peaceful atmosphere and opposition parties participating in the political process face violent conduct by security forces revealing that the election experience will not be sufficient to constitute meaningful progress in the democratic development of the country.

Limitations of media freedom and freedom of assembly, as well as the recent deficient candidate registration process attempts at intimidating and hindering the opposition – mainly from the Muslim Brotherhood – make vibrant political discourse almost impossible. The restricted competitive environment during campaigning creates an uneven playing field for candidates, which in turn may make it difficult for voters to make an informed choice. Since the official campaigning date many MB members’ supporters and campaigners have been assaulted, detained or attacked while posters and banners have been damaged and destroyed.  In the Gharbeya governorate security forces tore down placards and posters supporting Saad al-Husseini, who is currently a member of the parliamentary bloc.

Similar measures were witnessed in Helwan where forces destroyed and disfigured posters and ripped down banners belonging to MB candidate, Omar Ramadan.
Security forces continued to work against Muslim Brotherhood candidates and supporters as security personnel in Qalyubeya today arrested the husband of the MB’s female candidate, Huda Ghanya, and 100 of her supporters during an election rally.
 
Forces also prevented a motorcycle rally from taking place promoting the MB MP, Mohsen Rady. Forces surrounded the entrances and exits to the village. Police officers threatened to arrest the group and confiscate all motor bikes.

Security forces also abducted 2 supporters of MB candidate, Abdullah Eliwa, during his election campaign in one of the towns and in Fayoum 3 campaigns were interrupted as MBs were making their rounds to meet the people and explain their political platform.

Security forces abducted 10 supporters of MB MP, Gamal Shehata, from Shubra al-Khaymah and forces beat and insulted citizens. To date, 17 of Shehata’s supporters have been detained.
This shows overall that the conditions necessary for a meaningful democratic election have not yet been established.