The chairmen of seven political parties launched a campaign on Monday that seeks to mobilise the public to vote in the presidential election, scheduled for 26-28 March. In a statement issued following a meeting at the Wafd Party’s headquarters on 11 February political leaders said “a central operation room” will be formed in order to mobilise citizens in all governorates to cast their ballots. Yasser Qoura, assistant secretary-general of the Wafd Party, told Al-Ahram Weekly that the operation room will start work next week. “The campaign is a response to those who are calling for a boycott. We want as many citizens as possible to participate and vote,” he said.
A coalition of leftist and liberal opposition parties affiliated with the Civic Democratic Forum (CDM) urged citizens in a press conference on 30 January to boycott the poll on the grounds the elction has already fallen short of democratic norms.
Qoura claims the boycott calls undermine Egypt’s national interests.
“Even if some people believe the result of the poll is a foregone conclusion this is no reason to call for a boycott,” said Qoura. “A high turnout will send the message that the public supports the transitional political process and the war against terror.”
Full Article: Egyptian Politicians move to disrupt election boycott calls – Presidential Elections 2018 – Egypt – Ahram Online.
