State-run newspapers and National Democratic Party (NDP) officials continue to tout Sunday's elections as democratic amid reports of fraud and violence. Notably, however, not only have Egypt's administrative justice courts issued rulings to halt elections in several governorates in response to candidates' complaints of irregularities, but Egypt's prominent judges have also expressed concerns regarding the integrity of the electoral process. In statements to state-run Al-Ahram, NDP secretary-general Safwat al-Sherif objected to allegations of fraud by the Muslim Brotherhood and other political forces, arguing that these groups are making such allegations to cover their losses and their inability to gain voters' support. Democracy, al-Sherif argued, entails acknowledging one's loss. Commenting on the clashes that occurred in some districts, al-Sherif described these as “normal,” saying that such clashes occur all over the world. He described the NDP's large gains in the first round as a victory for the Egyptian citizen who has chosen the right path for his future and his children's future. Al-Ahram's editor-in-chief Ossama Saraya writes that “our democracy has scored victories” despite interest groups and allegations of fraud. Saraya congratulates the police on dealing with instances of violent clashes in a professional manner and with the judicious use of force. He adds that the High Elections Commission and those who presided over polling stations were a true representation of Egypt's “modernity and political development.” Mohammed Barakat, editor-in-chief of Al-Akhbar, echoes Saraya's praise for the High Elections Commission and the police. Barakat critiques media agencies, including privately-owned newspapers and satellite channels, for claiming that grave electoral violations were widespread. Head of the High Elections Commission Abdul Aziz Omar said the commission had to disqualify 120 ballot boxes, but asserted that the commission executed all rulings issued by administrative justice courts except in cases where such rulings were contested, saying that the courts need time to adjudicate these claims. At the same time, however, judicial sources said the new People's Assembly is unlikely to last more than a year, given administrative justice rulings regarding the suspension of elections in several governorates, reports privately-owned Al-Dostour. Several of Egypt's prominent judges have also expressed concern about the conduct of the elections, reports Al-Wafd, published by the liberal Wafd Party. Ahmed Mikki, president of the court of appeals, said the 2010 elections were not different from previous elections due to the lack of any serious intention to ensure the integrity of the elections. Mikki added that fair elections must be preceded by a number of measures, including cleaning up voter registries and ensuring candidates' representatives have access to polling stations. The former head of the Judges' Club, Zakaria Abdul Azziz, argued that the absence of judicial monitoring of the elections has led citizens to lose confidence in casting their vote. Azziz added that the the fact that some judges participated in monitoring this year's elections does not lend any legitimacy to the elections given the limited role that these judges played in the process, especially given their absence in secondary polling stations. Former head of the State Council Mohamed Hamed al-Gamal described the elections as devoid of legitimacy, given the fact that administrative justice rulings have not been implemented. Notably, privately-owned Al-Shorouk reports that Abdul Aziz Omar, head of the High Elections Commission, will refer a number of complaints regarding electoral fraud to the general prosecutor since the commission does not have the means to investigate the complaints, which concern fraud, mainly with respect to filling out ballots in favor of NDP candidates. Meanwhile, several newspapers continue to document violent clashes during the vote-counting process. In Sharqiya, five citizens died and 15 were injured during the final moments of the vote counting, reports Al-Dostour. According to the report, four unknown individuals fired shots at a group of citizens standing in front of the School of Commerce in the city of Mashtul al-Souk. The school was used as a primary polling station, where vote counting takes place. In the governorate of Daqahliya, clashes took place late Sunday night after the voting process was complete. The district of Talkha witnessed a “street war” and “bone-breaking” as clashes between candidate supporters erupted after the voting process. Molotov bottles were thrown and white weapons were used, injuring seven. Egypt's papers: Al-Ahram: Daily, state-run, largest distribution in Egypt Al-Akhbar: Daily, state-run, second to Al-Ahram in institutional size Al-Gomhorriya: Daily, state-run Rose el-Youssef: Daily, state-run, close to the National Democratic Party's Policies Secretariat Al-Dostour: Daily, privately owned Al-Shorouk: Daily, privately owned Al-Wafd: Daily, published by the liberal Wafd Party Al-Arabi: Weekly, published by the Arab Nasserist party Youm7: Weekly, privately owned Sawt el-Umma: Weekly, privately owned
