The first stage of the Shura (Consultative) Council—the upper house of Egypt’s parliament—elections starts today. Unlike the People##s Assembly (PA) elections, which
The first stage of the Shura (Consultative) Council—the upper house of Egypt’s parliament—elections starts today. Unlike the People##s Assembly (PA) elections, which were held in three stages, the Shura Council elections will be held in two stages, the first involves 13 governorates and the second—which starts on 14 February—involves 14 others. I hope the Shura Council elections see as high a turnout as the first stage of the PA elections.
I specify the first stage of the PA elections because any observer would note that the two other phases witnessed lower turnout; voters displayed less enthusiasm once the preliminary results revealed a sweeping Islamist victory. Advocates of a civil State, Copts and Muslims alike, did not hide their frustration. The argument was that the utter domination of the Islamist current had become a fait accompli, and with no amount of votes the remaining two stages could change the result. This line of thought reflects political naivety among new comers to the political arena, and underscores the fact that the period between the foundation of liberal political parties and the elections was too short for these parties to prepare for the polls and all the possible outcomes of balloting, however distasteful they may be. Despite the excesses the balloting involved, the election results truly reflect the public’s will as well as the winners’ higher political savvy. Over the upcoming period, political forces whose performance in the elections was modest have to ensure that their polices accord with the principle of national consensus, called for by the majority of Islamic parties, and display willingness to collaborate with groups from across the political spectrum. These forces should outline a long-term strategy to forge links with the masses and gain a foothold in the Egyptian street, in order to achieve better results in future elections.
I find it extremely worrying that the waning voter enthusiasm for the Shura elections reflects the notion that the Shura Council is irrelevant. It is said that since the council is bereft of sufficient legislative powers, it is a mere cosmetic, artificial body that squanders a lot of time and money. The logical outcome then is that we would better reconsider the very existence of the Shura Council and suffice with the PA. Voiced in various media outlets, this argument has proved convincing to many people whom I deem unaware of political realities. In light of the fallacies this line of reasoning involves, we should head to the polls with a sense of national duty and enthusiasm. I was pleased with the article written by constitutional pundit Dr Shawqi al-Sayed and printed in the Cairo State-owned daily Al-Ahram on 21 January. I quote the following excerpts:
• Constitutional sciences and parliamentary studies have proved that broadening the scope of democracy and improving parliamentary practices require the presence of a two-house parliament. This would refine the legislative process, reinforce control and prevent the PA’s dominion or monopoly over legislation, regulation and discussing State policies.
• More than any time before, Egyptians now are in dire need of a consultative council equipped with strong legislative and regulatory powers to work side by side with the PA. Advocates of abolishing the Shura Council have to study Egyptian politics in the pre-1952 period, when the 1923 Constitution established the Senates side by side with the House of Representatives. Behind this move lay a consensus among scholars and pundits that the House of Representatives should not be allowed to be “hegemonic nor subservient”. Similarly, the 1954 Constitution adopted the two-house parliament system and specified the prerogatives of each in articles 51-88.
• In 1980, the then president Anwar al-Sadat established the Shura Council to serve as a council of elders that works in cooperation with the PA. Free of inter-party conflicts, the Shura was to help the PA perform its role. The historic 2007 constitutional amendments provided the Shura Council with legislative prerogatives. Thus it became the PA’s partner in legislation as well as some aspects of control. This had much to do with considerations pertaining to the public good and willingness to widen the scope of democracy and political participation.
• The system of the two-house parliament is by no means a waste of time, effort or money. Rather, it is followed in established democracies thanks to the several benefits it offers.
I call upon those who have concerns or reservations over the PA election results—even though I do not share their fears—as well as those who accept the media##s reckless calls to abolish the Shura Council altogether, to reconsider their position and realise the significant role it could play in parliamentary life. Instead of failing to perform their national duty, I hope they would flock to polling stations—just as they did for the PA elections.