The two major political blocs in Egypt, the Egyptian Bloc and the Democratic Alliance, have responded to the recently amended law on parliamentary elections in different ways.
The two camps are in agreement in condemning many aspects of the laws, including the allocation of one third of seats by the single-winner system. However, while the Democratic Alliance, which includes several Islamist groups, such as the Freedom and Justice Party, has hinted at the possiblity of boycotting the parliamentary elections, the largely liberal and secular Egyptian Bloc has asserted its intention of taking part in the poll.
The two blocs were initially formed so that political parties could contest the parliamentary elections – slated to begin 28 November – using combined lists, which would boost their chances of success. Initially, the new elections law stipulated that half the constituencies would be contested using the "list-based" system, while the other half would be contested using the "single-winner" system. After vocal opposition, the law was amended to two-thirds list-based candidacy and one-third single-winner system.
However, that has not diminished cries of those who criticize the law. The Democratic Alliance, which comprises 34 parties, including the liberal Wafd Party, held a general meeting this week to discuss their response to the legislation. After the meeting, the alliance released a statement suggesting the possibility that they might boycott the elections altogether. However, Waheed Abdel Meguid, head of the alliance’s parliamentary coordination committee, said that the boycott was a “last resort, so it won’t be the most likely option.”
Essam Shiha, a member of the alliance’s parliamentary coordinating committee, said that at a meeting held on 28 September, the alliance decided to reject the amendments and intends to pressure the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF) to accede to the demands of the political forces. All options were discussed, including the possibility of boycotting elections.
The statement of the alliance also called for the cancellation of Article 5, which prohibits any party-based candidates from running for the single-winner seats. According to Abdel-Meguid, “That is the minimum requirement, the cancellation of Article 5. And the Emergency Law must end, according to the Constitutional Declaration, which prohibits its extension without a popular referendum.”
As for the Egyptian Bloc, which comprises 21 mainly secular and liberal parties, its stance on the elections is more straightforward. Despite the bloc’s opposition to the parliamentary law and its amendments, it is unequivocal in its assertion that it will contest the elections.
Mohamed Ghoneim, head of the executive committee of the Egyptian Bloc, said that it would continue objecting to the law in its current form. The bloc issued a statement on 26 September to this effect.
“Elections based on names and individuals will mean members of the old regime and those with money have an advantage. That’s why we’re also calling for transparency in sources of funding for candidates and their budgets,” he said. “We’re ready to go through with the elections. We’ve been working on our lists since the districts were announced.”
The Egyptian Bloc is also demanding that the security situation remain stable during the elections. However, Ghoneim was adamant that the law prohibiting the use of religious slogans during the campaign be enforced. This law has been ignored in previous rounds of Egypt’s parliamentary elections, both by Muslim Brotherhood candidates running as independents and by candidates for the defunct National Democratic Party.
“There is a law that forbids the use of religious slogans during campaigns. It exists and should be reactivated,” Ghoneim said. “We’re not attacking anyone; we just want the laws to be enforced. We reject the concept of abusing things for political gains. That’s also why we want a ceiling on campaign spending.”
Ghoneim outlined another difference he felt existed between the bloc and the alliance. “I think the Egyptian Bloc has the clearest stance on the elections. Tt’s not clear with the Democratic Alliance whether they will all go on combined lists. There might be talk of a national list later on, but we are working hard on our own lists.”
