CAIRO: The constitutional court in Egypt will issue its verdict in the political isolation case on June 14, merely two days ahead of the run-off of the Egyptian presidential elections, according to the court's spokesman Maher Samy on Wednesday. The law, known as al-Azl, bans imprisoned and ousted President Hosni Mubarak's officials from participating in political life, which puts election finalist Ahmed Shafiq, Mubarak's last prime minister during the 18 days of the uprising in January 2011, in danger of being eliminated, a wish many Egyptians are praying for. The law that was passed by the lower house last April was finally approved by the ruling military council. However, the elections committee assigned by the military council, passed the law on to the high constitutional court, which allowed Shafiq to enter the presidential race and has seen him become a finalist. He will be facing off against the Muslim Brotherhood candidate Mohamed Morsi on June 16 and 17. Shafiq's nomination has angered many Egyptians who see him as an extension of the old regime. Large banners condemning him are spread across downtown Cairo and in Tahrir square, calling for voters to not reproduce the old system of tyranny. Shafiq, on the other hand, seems confident of winning the votes of the old regime's loyalists and the upper class, as he promised to curb progressive taxes and promised to look out for big business. Liberal Egyptians are in a predicament, as they are now forced to choose between the Muslim Brotherhood and the old regime. Many are now calling for the formation of a presidential council led by the three other frontrunners, moderate and ex-Brotherhood leader Abdel Monem Aboul Fotuh, leftist Hamdeen Sabahi and rights advocate Khaled Ali. Activists and supporters of the three men said if the idea of the council is shot down, they will boycott the run-off.
