A number of political figures have called for a boycott of the presidential elections due to the absence of a democratic process hours before the end of the presidential candidacy nomination period on 29 January. Leader of the Reform and Development Party Mohamed Anwar al-Sadat, Judge and Former Head of Egypt’s Highest Control Authority Hisham Geneina, Abdel Moneim Abol Foutoh, who ran in a 2012 presidential race, former Army Chief of Staff Sami Anan and Hazim Hosni are among the signatories who issued the statement condemning Egypt’s presidential elections. The statement denounced the legitimacy of the elections, set for March 26-28, citing various repressive practices taken against hopeful candidates. The signatories further called on Egyptians not to recognize the results of the elections. They also expressed concerns over how power is handed over between presidents, the general political environment in Egypt, in addition to the potential risk of constitutional changes eliminating presidential terms. Besides a last-minute submission by politician Mostafa Mousa Mostafa of his paperwork to the National Elections Authority on Monday, all of Egypt’s presidential candidates have either withdrawn due to the lack of a democratic process or faced legal circumstances that hinder them from running in…
Egyptian Political Figures Call to Boycott Elections due to Undemocratic Climate
January 29, 2018
