CAIRO: Egyptian polls opened this morning in the country's Parliamentary elections amidst much speculation from human rights groups and activists over government actions to stymie a fair and free vote. Groups in the country have spoken out against what they say will be widespread fraud and vote rigging in order to ensure the ruling National Democratic Party (NDP) secures the lion's share of votes on Sunday. Egypt's state-run MENA news agency reported that 6,000 members of 76 civil groups would be monitoring the elections. The government, despite international calls, has rejected any international monitoring of the voting, saying it as interference in its internal affairs. Less than 24 hours before elections authorities at Qasr el-Nil police station, located in a strategic downtown district, informed independent candidate Gameela Ismail that the voting lists for Qasr el-Nil had changed. The change would have invalidated many of the documents Ismail was trying to submit, authorizing individuals to represent her at polling stations on Election Day. Representatives are permitted to remain inside polling stations and watch the ballot boxes. However, representatives may only observe in the polling station to which they are assigned to vote. A last-minute rearrangement of voting lists would have necessitated finding new representatives for Ismail and other candidates. Additionally, Ismail was informed by the policewoman checking the documents that it would be impossible to obtain a copy of the new lists by 5pm, the deadline for turning in the paperwork. “How can I communicate with people quickly to find new representatives?” Ismail asked, frustrated with the situation. Ismail had threatened to withdraw her candidacy if the issue was not resolved before five pm. “I will not run if there is no judiciary oversight and no representatives watching the boxes,” she said. “How can we know the vote is fair if only the NDP has representatives watching the boxes?” Ismail and other independent candidates have said government candidates are buying votes. Her opponent Hisham Mustafa Khalil is reportedly paying LE500 to citizens or LE2,000 to cafe owners to get people to vote for his re-election. Many opposition leaders have called for a boycott of the election, arguing that the government will do everything in its power to curtail a free vote. Last month, Egypt's Nobel Prize-winning democracy advocate Mohammed ElBaradei had called upon the people to abstain from voting telling them that cooperating with the poll process would go against “the national will” to transform Egypt into a democracy, while a boycott would de-legitimize the regime. Even former Presidential candidate and opposition party Al-Ghad chief Ayman Nour has backed the boycott, but his party would allow its members to run as independents. International rights groups, including Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International have called for a free and open election, but Ismail and other observers say this will not happen, despite government promises. BM
