Egypt’s National Elections Committee (NEC) has officially disqualified presidential hopeful Sami Anan from participating in the upcoming elections due to his “non-civilian status,” local media reports. The NEC claimed that since Anan is affiliated with the country’s Armed Forces he is prohibited from running for and being elected to political office. Meanwhile, NEC head Lashin Ibrahim had reportedly met on Monday with officials from the US and Mexican embassies to reassure them that the elections would be held in accordance with international standards. Anan, a retired army Chief of Staff and a former member of Egypt’s Supreme Council of Armed Forces (SCAF), announced on January 20 his intention to run for the 2018 presidential elections, scheduled for March 26-28. He was detained by Egyptian authorities on Tuesday over alleged violations of military law. Shortly after his arrest, Anan’s campaign declared that it had suspended its activities until further notice. Anan is to be investigated for allegedly violating army regulations by declaring his intention to run in the elections, a televised statement released by the army on Tuesday said. He is also accused of forging official documents that said he has completed his…
Sami Anan Officially Banned from Running in Presidential Elections
January 24, 2018
