Egypt slips down democracy ladder
By William Wallis in Cairo
The Financial Times
December 8 2005
In scenes that lent an air of farce to the violent conclusion of Egypt's month-long legislative elections on Wednesday, police attempting to block further gains by the opposition Muslim Brotherhood confiscated ladders from would-be voters.
In a previous round of polling resourceful opposition voters outside Alexandria used ladders to climb into the back of polling stations where riot police were blocking off their access at the front.
The Egyptian Organisation for Human Rights reported that 355 polling stations were closed by security forces in final round run-offs on Wednesday.
Muslim Brotherhood officials said this was part of a wider crackdown aimed at limiting the group's representation in parliament, up fivefold already after earlier rounds of voting.
Frustration boiled over into rioting in some areas of the Nile Delta. As many as five people were killed as police opened fire with tear gas, rubber bullets and in at least one place allegedly live rounds.
Facing pressure at home and from Washington, President Hosni Mubarak had promised that the polls would be "free and fair", marking the first step in a new phase of democratic reform.
But human rights groups say the process has been marred by escalating violence and widespread fraud as the authorities cracked down in response to unexpected gains by Muslim Brotherhood candidates - running as nominally independent because the organisation is banned.
Mr Mubarak's NDP looks set to retain a two-thirds majority of parliament - giving it control over promised constitutional reform - but with the credibility of its political reform programme severely damaged.
The US expressed "serious concern" about the detention of opposition politicians and intimidation of voters.
The Financial Times
December 8 2005
In scenes that lent an air of farce to the violent conclusion of Egypt's month-long legislative elections on Wednesday, police attempting to block further gains by the opposition Muslim Brotherhood confiscated ladders from would-be voters.
In a previous round of polling resourceful opposition voters outside Alexandria used ladders to climb into the back of polling stations where riot police were blocking off their access at the front.
The Egyptian Organisation for Human Rights reported that 355 polling stations were closed by security forces in final round run-offs on Wednesday.
Muslim Brotherhood officials said this was part of a wider crackdown aimed at limiting the group's representation in parliament, up fivefold already after earlier rounds of voting.
Frustration boiled over into rioting in some areas of the Nile Delta. As many as five people were killed as police opened fire with tear gas, rubber bullets and in at least one place allegedly live rounds.
Facing pressure at home and from Washington, President Hosni Mubarak had promised that the polls would be "free and fair", marking the first step in a new phase of democratic reform.
But human rights groups say the process has been marred by escalating violence and widespread fraud as the authorities cracked down in response to unexpected gains by Muslim Brotherhood candidates - running as nominally independent because the organisation is banned.
Mr Mubarak's NDP looks set to retain a two-thirds majority of parliament - giving it control over promised constitutional reform - but with the credibility of its political reform programme severely damaged.
The US expressed "serious concern" about the detention of opposition politicians and intimidation of voters.
posted by Hanan Elbadry at 1:20 PM
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