Safwat al-Sharif, the ruling National Democratic Party (NDP) Secretary General, said the NDP Political Bureau has no intention to hold a meeting during the coming period to select a candidate for the presidential elections, scheduled for 2011. He added: "The time is not ripe for such a step." Speaking to Al-Masry Al-Youm, al-Sharif said the NDP takes measures in a timely manner and according to the Constitution. The door of nomination for the presidency should be opened first. After that, the party's supreme body will hold a meeting to receive nominations. A secret ballot will be carried out in the party's general conference in the presence of 5,700 members to select the party's presidential candidate.
It is not reasonable to take such a step two years before the date of the presidential election. The party's statute and the Constitution are clear, so why do some people circulate unbelievable rumors?
The NDP does not need to search for a candidate, and there is no need to take hasty measures, as some people claim. The party is led by President Mubarak, and enjoys greater stability in all political and partisan conditions in light of President Mubarak's achievements. Al-Sharif asked: Why do some people circulate rumors that the NDP is looking for a candidate for the presidency now? There is no crisis in the presidency. How can we believe that the party chooses its candidate in July 2009 for the presidency, which will be held in 2011?
