The Egyptian Trade Union Federation (ETUF) on Tuesday announced it will postpone internal elections until 2012. The federation previously planned to hold the poll at the end of 2011. Hussein Megawer, head of ETUF and leading National Democratic Party (NDP) member, said in October the delay will enable members of the labor community to lend their full support to president Hosni Mubarak's 2011 presidential bid. Mubarak has yet to declare his ambitions for a sixth term in office. But many leading NDP members announced previously Mubarak will run despite the 82-year-old's failing health. Analysts say the government has proved able to transform the ETUF into a political tool. The ruling National Democratic Party controls elections in syndicates affiliated with the federation. Opposition parties and independents claim the NDP transfers laborers to polling stations to vote in favor of its candidates.
