Egypt, Elsewedy review progress on Ain Sokhna phosphate complex    US employment cost index 3.6% up in year to June 2025    Egypt welcomes Canada, Malta's decision to recognise Palestinian state    Pakistan says successfully concluded 'landmark trade deal' with US    Sterling set for sharpest monthly drop since 2022    Egypt, Brazil sign deal to boost pharmaceutical cooperation    Modon Holding posts AED 2.1bn net profit in H1 2025    Egypt's Electricity Ministry says new power cable for Giza area operational    Egypt's Al-Sisi, Italian defence minister discuss Gaza, security cooperation    Egypt's FM discusses Gaza, Nile dam with US senators    Aid airdrops intensify as famine deepens in Gaza amid mounting international criticism    Egypt exports first high-tech potato seeds to Uzbekistan after opening market    Health minister showcases AI's impact on healthcare at Huawei Cloud Summit    On anti-trafficking day, Egypt's PM calls fight a 'moral and humanitarian duty'    Egypt strengthens healthcare partnerships to enhance maternity, multiple sclerosis, and stroke care    Egypt keeps Gaza aid flowing, total tops 533,000 tons: minister    Indian Embassy to launch cultural festival in Assiut, film fest in Cairo    Egyptian aid convoy heads toward Gaza as humanitarian crisis deepens    Culture minister launches national plan to revive film industry, modernise cinematic assets    I won't trade my identity to please market: Douzi    Sisi sends letter to Nigerian president affirming strategic ties    Two militants killed in foiled plot to revive 'Hasm' operations: Interior ministry    Egypt, Somalia discuss closer environmental cooperation    Egypt's EHA, Huawei discuss enhanced digital health    Foreign, housing ministers discuss Egypt's role in African development push    Egypt reveals heritage e-training portal    Three ancient rock-cut tombs discovered in Aswan    Sisi launches new support initiative for families of war, terrorism victims    Egypt expands e-ticketing to 110 heritage sites, adds self-service kiosks at Saqqara    Egypt's Irrigation Minister urges scientific cooperation to tackle water scarcity    Palm Hills Squash Open debuts with 48 international stars, $250,000 prize pool    On Sport to broadcast Pan Arab Golf Championship for Juniors and Ladies in Egypt    Golf Festival in Cairo to mark Arab Golf Federation's 50th anniversary    Germany among EU's priciest labour markets – official data    Paris Olympic gold '24 medals hit record value    A minute of silence for Egyptian sports    Russia says it's in sync with US, China, Pakistan on Taliban    It's a bit frustrating to draw at home: Real Madrid keeper after Villarreal game    Shoukry reviews with Guterres Egypt's efforts to achieve SDGs, promote human rights    Sudan says countries must cooperate on vaccines    Johnson & Johnson: Second shot boosts antibodies and protection against COVID-19    Egypt to tax bloggers, YouTubers    Egypt's FM asserts importance of stability in Libya, holding elections as scheduled    We mustn't lose touch: Muller after Bayern win in Bundesliga    Egypt records 36 new deaths from Covid-19, highest since mid June    Egypt sells $3 bln US-dollar dominated eurobonds    Gamal Hanafy's ceramic exhibition at Gezira Arts Centre is a must go    Italian Institute Director Davide Scalmani presents activities of the Cairo Institute for ITALIANA.IT platform    







Thank you for reporting!
This image will be automatically disabled when it gets reported by several people.



Gamal Mubarak and the NDP promote amendments to press
Published in Daily News Egypt on 26 - 03 - 2007

CAIRO: Head of the National Democratic Party's (NDP) Policies Committee Gamal Mubarak spoke out in defense of the proposed constitutional amendments Sunday in a press conference held with the foreign press.
"Democracy is an evolving process, he said "and we're moving in the right direction. Maybe it's not as fast as people like, even as fast as we like, but we're achieving progress.
As for the criticism of the amendments and opposition calls to boycott the referendum Mubarak said: "There are certain voices boycotting the referendum, but there are other voices not affiliated to the NDP advocating participation. Boycotting won't push the process forward.
Mubarak did field questions concerning specific criticisms of the amendments. Concerning the amendment to article 88 which will reorganize the judicial oversight on ballot boxes, he said that the current electoral system is logistically unfeasible if bigger voter turnout is desired, due to the limited number of judges.
By law there must be a judge monitoring every ballot box in the electoral process.
"The number of registered voters is increasing, Mubarak said "we knew there would be skeptics, this is why we're out there explaining the impossibility of current elections. Article 88 has more details on the elections and provides guarantees that do not exist in the current article. Granted, it does relegate the role of the legislature, but we'll be working on it.
He added: "The new article 88 is not the end of the story. There is a need for legislative amendments, more guarantees are needed. [Article 88] will be followed by more legislation.
As for the new anti-terror legislation of article 179 Mubarak said: "All countries have to go a fine line between powers and protecting civil liberties in anti-terror laws.
"I keep anchoring things to the election manifesto. The president made it clear that . an anti-terror bill [was needed]. He said we cannot get rid of the emergency law because we don't have a legislative substitute, he added.
As for the amendment to ban political parties on a religious platform, widely seen as targeting the outlawed Muslim Brotherhood, Mubarak said that this is not a new development.
"People who echo that notion [should know] there is nothing new in that language. Religious parties not being allowed has been enshrined in our legislation for a long time.
"The only new thing is that it will be elevated to the constitutional level, Mubarak added.
The NDP was organized a drive to promote the constitutional amendments.
The Secretary of Organization in the NDP Ahmed Ezz said: "Our key objective is for the referendum to be impartial. We want a clean vote. [Further objectives] are voter turnout and finally to get a yes vote.
As for the belief that electoral law must be reformed Ezz said "We have 13,000 judges. With the importance of getting more than 30 percent voter turnout, we need to revamp the election process.
Journalists were taken to the NDP's operation room where hundreds of young members were working the telephone lines trying to promote the amendments to voters.
One of the leaflets handed to reporters present at the NDP headquarters was titled "How the Amendments Promote Democracy and Advance Egypt. It argued the constitutional changes strengthen the role of parliament, underline the accountability of the government and boost the role of political parties.
The leaflet said "These changes empower parliament to ensure greater democracy. The aim is to bolster the democratic process to ensure all voices with legislative and political representation are heard.
Another leaflet stated that one of the potential challenges facing the campaign was "concern of potential moves by opposition parties and factions (Kefaya Movement, the banned Muslim Brotherhood) to disrupt the voting procedures in a number of districts.


Clic here to read the story from its source.