WATANI International
20 November 2011
Egypt in its entirety is living the countdown for the People’s Assembly (PA) elections on 28 November. In order to ensure full judicial supervision—a judge for every ballot box—the elections will be held in three stages, each covering a number of governorates, and the runoff will be a week later.
Realising that Egypt is at a crossroads, Watani has been keen to urge individuals to cast their ballots in the PA and, later, the Shura Council elections. The two councils form the lower and upper houses of the Egyptian parliament. The crucial change the country is undergoing since the 25 January Revolution is inevitably leading to a new constitution and a re-drawing of the character of State institutions. Parliamentary elections are no more a cosmetic process with an outcome pre-determined in favour of a ruling clique; the political arena now accommodates a plethora of political parties, each with its own vision and ambitions.
Memories of the pre-revolutionary unhealthy political climate are still raw. The last tragic outcome of that climate was the 2010 legislative elections, in which the voter turnout was an ignoble 15-20 per cent, since most people doubted the fairness of the process. It was obvious Egypt had a ‘silent majority’ whose indifference to political participation stemmed out of conviction that votes did not count.
The revolution smashed idols, opened the way before political contribution, and persuaded people that, from then on, they had a say in running the homeland. The 19 March referendum on constitutional amendments of presidential prerogatives and terms was the first step along the path, and the silent majority’s keenness to vote was striking. For the first time since the pre-1952 liberal era, large numbers of Egyptians of all ages and social backdrops flocked to polling stations and queued for hours to cast their votes. The 40 per cent turnout may have done with some improvement, yet it represented remarkably positive progress and demonstrated the change in people’s attitude towards voting. Today, elections are the major topic discussed throughout Egypt, and much public effort is being done to educate the people on the details of the elections law, the contesting parties, the rules of the individual candidacy and slate systems, and all that pertains to the elections.
Despite the optimistic forecast for Egypt’s future, many Egyptians remain too overwhelmed with doubts and fears to venture casting their votes. Discouraging memories of former elections abound: the absence of voters’ names from electoral lists, forcing a voter to rush from one polling station to another to search for his or her name; the exploitation of thugs to dissuade people from voting; acts of manipulation and rigging. There was also the Islamist currents’ rampant use of religious slogans and carrot and stick practices to garner votes.
To the silent majority, I today say: you should live up to the challenge and head to the ballot box without the slightest hesitation. We should put our fears and doubts aside because the enemies of democracy seek to exclude us so they could monopolise the arena. The silent majority has a historic responsibility towards Egypt, since it is the only force capable of ensuring a safe future for this country. The silent majority should be aware that in persisting to vote it pulls the rug from under the feet of any faction or political group that seeks to defeat it. Shying away from its obligation is self-defeating.
And to those who will vote but lack adequate information, Watani is lending a helping hand. Beginning our 6 November issue, we have been printing data about constituencies, candidates, and the voting process. We will continue to do so all through the election stages, and on to the Shura Council elections next March. Watani is determined to encourage the people to contribute to the destiny of the homeland.