Beyond rhetoric

Democratisation is a serious business, and one in which we must all become involved, writes Ibrahim Nafie

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Egypt is making great strides along the path to reform. Many are already beginning to feel the benefits of economic reform while in politics we have just had our first ever multi- candidate presidential elections. Civil society groups have voiced reservations about those elections but nothing in what they say could have changed the outcome. And following his re-election President Hosni Mubarak announced that more far reaching reforms are on their way.

Parliamentary elections, due next month, represent a new departure for Egypt. For this reason all parties and political groups should participate. It is true that the National Democratic Party (NDP) at times appears a monolithic entity that is determined to remain in power. But we need all parties and groups, including civil society organisations, to be part of the political process.

President Mubarak opened a Pandora's Box when he ordered the amendment of Article 76 of the constitution. The presidential elections revitalised Egyptian society, encouraging many to participate in political life. Dozens of movements and groups have called for reform and for proper monitoring of the elections. This is good: it is because of such levels of involvement that democracy is kept alive. Some people criticised the conduct of the opposition but this was to be expected. As democratisation picks up erratic behaviour is likely to subside.

The NDP is serious about reform and change and other parties need to reciprocate. We need a strong Egyptian parliament, one capable of debating the fine details of change, one comprising the largest number of legitimate parties. The more diverse the parliament, the greater the trust the people will place in the reforms that are on their way.

The NDP's seriousness in entering the parliamentary elections prompted opposition parties to form the National Front for Change. The front has promised to fight for reform and against corruption -- both legitimate goals. What puzzles me, however, is that its leaders deny seeking power, though this is nothing of which one should be ashamed. As democracy develops we will no doubt be able to dispense with such outmoded rhetoric.

I cannot overstate the need to revise voters' lists and facilitate the process of voter registration. This is an urgent task and one that has been underlined by the National Council for Human Rights. And we urgently need better monitoring of elections. Many in this country reject foreign monitors though no one, to my knowledge, has objected to domestic monitoring. We have dozens of civil society groups with impeccable records and unimpeachable reputations. These groups can become credible monitors of the elections and their observations can serve to improve the process. But they must be given time to prepare for the task ahead, for which reason we can only hope that the decision is soon made to allow them a role in monitoring the vote.