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Power in the right hands Rather than rush into parliamentary elections, time and care should be taken to ensure mistakes of the past are not reflected in a flawed Parliament
I and many others have called for parliamentary elections to be postponed for a few more months in order to give the new political parties emerging since the January 25 Revolution enough time to prepare. Our argument is that elections within the next six months will only result in a parliament which is not unlike previous ones. As these parliaments were part of the problem, they cannot be part of the solution. Electing a parliament similar to previous ones would dishearten everyone and extinguish the immense sense of optimism which was ushered in by the revolution. Demands of postponing parliamentary elections have worried some that this would extend the interim period, delay the handover of power to a civilian government, and create an atmosphere which encourages permanent military rule. I am confident that the army does not want to extend the interim period and continue to rule the country. First, the Egyptian army wants to continue being a professional army which is not subjected to the corruption of politics and power. Second, Egyptian society has developed a complex that rejects any regime which is not democratic, as proven by the January 25 Revolution and the difficulties facing the nation since its success. Both the people and the army want to take specific steps towards transferring power to civilian rule in order to allay fears and concerns; this is a desire which cannot be ignored by merely reiterating confidence in the Armed Forces. The solution I am suggesting is to delink presidential and parliamentary elections, whereby voting for the president should take place before the end of the interim period while parliamentary elections should be postponed for another few months. Presidential elections should be held in July, but the president would not be sworn in or take office until parliamentary elections are held between three to six months later. During this period, the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces would continue to run the country. I would also add, since we already have a Shura Council (Upper House) with limited powers, that perhaps there also should be Shura Council elections before those for Parliament. This would confirm that power is being handed over to a civilian government, and is an opportunity to choose new laws and arrangements according to which parliamentary elections will be held.
