CAIRO: Egyptian public figures called on finalist presidential candidate Mohamed Morsi and former presidential hopefuls Abdel Moneim Aboul Fotuh, Hamdeen Sabahi and Parliament members to join the sit-in in protest of the non-application of the political isolation law, or Azl, that should have prevented election finalist and former regime loyalist Ahmed Shafiq from running. The law that the parliament passed in April and was later approved by the military ruling council bars persons affiliated with the ousted regime from participating in public life for 10 years. The presidential election committee regulating the process, passed on to the High Constitutional Court to give its final say in the law, and if it should be implemented or not. The ruling council expressed it is willing to redo the elections in case the court gives its verdict in favor of the law and barring Shafiq from standing in the election. Similar laws were used in Egypt following the ousting of King Farouk and the end of the British occupation in Egypt in early 1950s, to ensure the king's loyalists were kept away from politics. 30 writers, thinkers and public figures issued a joint statement calling on the former presidential hopefuls to “keep their promises” of joining efforts to implement the law, saying that it would likely prevent fraud in favor of Shafiq. The signatories warned that if the parliament members does not pressure for the law, the old regime will come back with a “will for vengeance.” Among the signatories are notable writers Alaa al-Aswany and Sonallah Ibrahim. “Take a stand in the parliament so the government that forced Egyptians against their will using fraud, understands there is an alternative power to its authority supported by the people,” the statement closed.
