CAIRO: The local police has cordoned off the house of Muslim Brotherhood (MB) Shoura candidate Eid Dahroug in Qatawiya village, preventing him from campaigning for his candidacy, Dahroug told Daily News Egypt Thursday. “On Wednesday evening, I found my house surrounded by police informants in civilian outfits … who made me leave and spend the night somewhere else,” Dahroug added. Dahroug said that he will not go home until election day. “If I stay home, they will keep following me once I go out to [meet possible voters] in the village,” he explained. Dahroug claimed police officers recurrently prevented him from touring the constituency with his supporters to promote his electoral campaign and meet possible voters. “A police truck stopped a rally of my supporters [on Wednesday] on the road…threatening to detain [them] if I don't end it and leave,” he noted. “Posters of ruling National Democratic Party (NDP) candidates were plastered over mine all through the village,” Dahroug added. Official spokesman of the MB Essam El-Erian heavily criticized the NDP, accusing them of being behind such acts. “The NDP wouldn't dare to enter into a real competition with serious candidates who have a wide popularity and a history, especially in an influential governorate like Sharqeya,” El-Erian told Daily News Egypt. “The NDP resorts to security authorities to push its competitors away,” he added. Dahroug has been frequently arrested by security authorities since 1995. “There are always…violations in the political (scene) and in election competitions all over the world,” Mohamed El-Dakrouri, member of the Shoura Council legislative committee, told Daily News Egypt. According to El-Dakrouri, also a counselor, in case any violations are committed, a candidate should file a complaint before the electoral commission. “The commission … will then face any violations (as the entity) in charge of maintaining equal rights (among candidates),” he explained. But in the case of the MB candidates, “they have to resort to the judiciary where each side can present its case,” he said. Several MB Shoura candidates had earlier accused the Supreme Electoral Commission and the State Security of committing violations against them. In a press conference held by the Lawyers' Syndicate freedoms committee Tuesday, the candidates confirmed that their activities at the constituencies were monitored by state security officers. They further accused security authorities of arresting and physically assaulting many of their supporters. A total of 14 MB members will run for the poll scheduled for June 1; three of whom are already sitting MPs. The Shoura Council is the Upper House of Egyptian Parliament. The council proposes draft laws, discusses issues and monitors the constitutionality of released decrees.
