Supporters of Mahmoud Nabih, a candidate affiliated with the dissolved National Democratic Party (NDP), set the Daqahlia Governorate headquarters of the Muslim Brotherhood’s Freedom and Justice Party on fire early Thursday morning, after they receiving news that their candidate had lost in a parliamentary elections run-off.
The run-off races over the workers seat in the fourth electoral district in Daqahlia took place on Tuesday and Wednesday. Ballot counting began immediately following the voting on Wednesday night.
Run-off election results for the third round of parliamentary elections are yet to be officially announced. However, news reports indicate that Islamists continue to lead.
Candidates competing for the workers seat included former NDP member Mahmoud Nabih and independent candidate Khaled Haddad, who is backed by the Brotherhood.
Nabih’s supporters set the headquarters on fire, along with three shops. They also attacked a number of Haddad’s supporters.
The state-owned Al-Ahram newspaper’s website reported Thursday morning that Haddad had won the workers seat. The Daqahliya-based Brotherhood also confirmed the results, saying it supported Haddad.
A number of police detectives and two Central Security Force vehicles were dispatched to the area in order to restore calm to the city. Police arrested two Nabih supporters.
This incident is one of the main incidents of election violence witnessed during the electoral process since it began on 28 November 2011. The run-off races for the third round of the election ended on Wednesday.
According to reports prepared by organizations monitoring the elections, most election violations consisted of illegal campaigning and attempts to influence voters outside the polling stations.
Translated from Al-Masry Al-Youm
