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Al-Ahram Weekly On-line 9 -15 November 2000 Issue No.507 
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Published in Cairo by AL-AHRAM established in 1875 |
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Al-Ahram Weekly On-line 9 -15 November 2000 Issue No.507
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| Published in Cairo by AL-AHRAM established in 1875 |
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Egypt Region International Economy Opinion Culture Books Travel Living Sports Profile People Time Out Chronicles Cartoons Letters Voting for real
For the first time in many years, Egyptians feel they are taking part in proper elections -- elections in which every vote can make a difference. Several prominent figures from the ruling National Democratic Party (NDP) have lost parliamentary seats they had occupied for decades, while opposition groups have led a successful battle in several constituencies.Nearly all political trends, including Islamists, are represented in the new People's Assembly, giving each the chance to put its slogans into practice. This indicates an enrichment of the democratisation process.
The results of the first two stages of voting must have sent a clear warning to Egypt's 15 political parties. Over 80 per cent of the candidates in these stages were "independents," who decided to bank on their own popularity, family ties or wealth.
The "independents" have won over 170 of the 282 seats decided so far. The NDP's official candidates won slightly more than 100 seats, while only three of the 14 opposition parties -- the leftist Tagammu, the liberal Wafd and the Arab Nasserist Party -- won a grand total of nine seats.
The "independent" victory prompted the NDP to reverse its pre-election decision to take "disciplinary action" against those of its members who failed to back the party's official candidates. Most of the "independents" who have won seats so far were originally NDP members. The only action the NDP took, however, was to welcome them back into the fold as full-fledged members of its parliamentary bloc, increasing its majority to 224 seats. Several "independents" were not even consulted before their names were added to the NDP's majority in parliament.
The pattern that characterised the first two stages will certainly be repeated in the third and final stage, which started in Cairo and seven other governorates yesterday. The main complaint, reiterated by nearly all the candidates (including those of the NDP), was the dire need to review the voters' lists issued by the Interior Ministry. Many voters could not find their names, or spent hours looking for the polling station where they could cast their ballot. The 2000 elections were definitely a step forward, however, and if certain steps are taken we can hope for even better in 2005.
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