Egypt’s National Dialogue demanded that state institutions and bodies remain impartial and treat all candidates in the upcoming presidential election equally, ensuring their constitutional and legal rights and providing equal opportunities
This came in a Tuesday statement outlining a number of principles for the management of a pluralistic and competitive presidential election. These principles are seen as a prelude to completing the democratic transition process in Egypt.
The statement emphasizes the right of anyone interested in running for the presidency to freely campaign, seek endorsements, communicate with voters, and receive fair media coverage.
The National Dialogue calls on all Egyptian political forces, including supporters of the regime, opposition groups, and independent individuals, to view the upcoming presidential elections as an important step towards strengthening the path of a modern civil democratic state.
The registration process for candidates in Egypt’s presidential election is expected to begin in October, with voting scheduled for early December. The National Election Authority will hold a press conference on Wednesday to inform the public about its preparations for the upcoming elections.
The statement also called for the continuation of the state’s efforts to review the situations of detainees, pretrial detainees, and individuals banned from travelling, who have not been convicted or accused of using or inciting violence.
The statement emphasized the need to amend pretrial detention provisions to prevent it from becoming a form of punishment without judicial verdicts.
Moreover, the Board of Trustees called for ensuring the freedom of Egyptian political parties to operate and move freely, allowing them to engage with the public and present their programs.
The statement encouraged citizens to join parties based on their free choice, while also supporting political life in the country and further promoting freedom of the press and media. The principles emphasize the importance of respecting the Constitution, the law, and professional ethics.
It also highlighted the need to make every possible effort to ensure the integrity of all general, local, and union elections.
The statement suggested amending election laws to guarantee fair and balanced representation of all societal forces, based on proposals submitted to Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi in August.
Under the title “Building Trust after the Presidential Election,” the statement called for a full and declared commitment from all political and societal parties to continue rejecting and combating terrorism and extremism.
This includes those groups whose actions have resulted in the loss of Egyptian lives and those who have resorted to violence and exploited religion for political purposes.
Egypt’s Presidential Election: Two Challengers Emerge Amid Economic Turmoil
Egypt’s upcoming presidential election will see two challengers to incumbent President Al-Sisi.
The first challenger is Abdel-Sanad Yamama, the leader of the obscure Al-Wafd Party. Yamama has openly expressed support for Al-Sisi, leading some to speculate that his candidacy is a sham intended to give the appearance of democracy.
The second challenger is Ahmed Al-Tantawy, a former member of parliament and outspoken critic of Al-Sisi. Al-Tantawy has complained of harassment by security agencies of his campaign staff, with more than 30 having been arrested.
The election comes at a time of economic hardship for Egypt, with the country facing a sharp currency devaluation and record-high inflation. The Egyptian pound has lost more than half of its value against the US dollar since late 2022, and inflation has soared to over 37%. The economic crisis has been exacerbated by the war in Ukraine, which has disrupted global supply chains and sent energy prices soaring.
Egypt’s economic crisis has been brewing for years, but it came to a head in 2022. The COVID-19 pandemic hit Egypt’s tourism industry hard, and the war in Ukraine has dealt a further blow to the economy.
These challenges have led to grumbling among Egyptians, some of whom are hoping that the election will provide an opportunity for change.
