A dozen of local human rights groups yesterday urged the ruling Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF) to draft a new constitution before holding legislative polls, a statement by the rights organizations read. "The Supreme Council of the Armed Forces should positively interact with the demands of the revolution through rearranging the priorities of the transitional period. These priorities should be topped with drafting a new constitution," read the statement, a copy of which was obtained by The Egyptian Gazette. "Responding to the demand of 'The Constitution First', which is made by the majority of political groups, is a logical step that must be taken by the SCAF, after its clear siding with the January 25 revolution," added statement. The issue of what should come first has become a bone of contention between liberals and secularists on the one side and the Muslim Brotherhood on the other, placing extra pressure on the military, which announced it wanted a short transitional period. "Drafting a constitution before polls will guarantee drawing a path for democracy through this period," said the rights groups, including the Cairo Centre for Human Rights Studies and the Egyptian Council for Social and Economic Rights. Most liberal and secular powers support the suggestion that the Constitution should be drafted first with Mohamed el-Baradei, a potential presidential candidate, starting a campaign entitled: "The Constitution First". However, the Muslim Brotherhood, Egypt's most organized political group, rejected the idea on the grounds that it contradicts a referendum approved by the majority of Egyptians. "The people agreed with a clear majority to electing lawmakers, who will then draft the constitution. Drafting a constitution without the people's consent may be catastrophic," said Mohssen Radi, a senior Brotherhood member, told The Gazette in a previous interview. Radi added that drafting a constitution before the polls would prolong the transitional period. "This risks a political deadlock," Radi added. Amr Moussa, the outgoing Secretary General of the Arab League and a potential presidential hopeful, has a totally different opinion. "I believe the presidential elections should be held ahead of drafting the Constitution or holding parliamentary polls. The elected president can then give the political parties a chance to have public powers," said Moussa. Moussa added that none of the political parties would secure a majority in the upcoming legislative elections, stressing the need to form political alliance and coalitions. "Egypt will have an active political process that will witness the formation of coalition in order to seek power," the former diplomat said.
