The campaigns are about to begin and the committee supervising the elections has finalised the regulations that will govern Egypt's first ever multi-candidate presidential elections. The committee has specified a number of rules by which all candidates are expected to abide. During the campaign, which is expected to last from 17 August till 4 September, all candidates are to desist from commenting on the private lives of opponents, from jeopardising national unity, from receiving gifts or financial donations and from using public transport and government buildings for campaign purposes. Yet on the eve of the presidential campaign we have already seen vitriolic attacks launched against some candidates. These attacks have appeared in the media, including a number of pro- government publications. It is one thing to discuss an opponent's political programme, to criticise manifestos and proposed policies. It is quite another to slur the background or family of candidates. To engage in such behaviour is to cheapen political life and the Presidential Elections Committee should step in immediately to stop a recurrence of this kind of negative campaigning. It is unfortunate to note that the vast majority of attacks have been directed against the opponents of the incumbent, President Hosni Mubarak. If they are intended to rally support for the president, then they are likely to prove counter-productive. There can be few less edifying sights than this kind of mudslinging and the electorate is perfectly capable of seeing it for what it is -- unacceptable, pathetic and ugly. It is now a matter of urgency that the elections committee set specific, decisive and clear standards for political campaigning. The Higher Press Council and the Journalists' Syndicate have their own share of responsibility to shoulder. In recent days the Egyptian press has started to slide down a slippery slope in its apparent willingness to sacrifice ethics for the sake of partisan considerations. The trend, if it continues, can only harm Egypt's democratic prospects. The public has a right to expect neutrality and objectivity from the press, and to be properly informed of the progress of campaigns. Call it an exercise in democracy if you will. Let these elections be another step on the long march to democracy, towards that day when election, not appointment, will be standard practice. College deans, university presidents, governors, to name just a few, need to be selected through the ballot box. We're at the beginning of the road and the immature practices of certain media must not discourage us. The dream is just starting, and it may just turn into reality.
