Cairo- THE ongoing bloody and lethal events taking place in Abbasiya Square in Cairo and the state of turmoil prevailing in the country because of the exclusion of one candidate from the presidential race makes one wonders about the future of the country with the ending of the transitional period. Observers, who greatly shocked by the capital's lack of security, forecast a delay in the presidential elections and the possible announcement of the martial law by the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF) to prolong their rule until a new constitution is written and the presidential election held. However, even those who still believe in SCAF's ability and willingness to hand over rule on June 30 to an elected president, show concern over the reaction of different candidates in losing the race. Many of the candidates, who have expressed concern over Article 28 of the Constitutional Declaration that gives full immunity to the Presidential Election Committee's (PEC) decisions against any contestant, threaten to lead a second revolution if the elections are rigged in favour of a certain candidate. In other words, any candidate losing the election could claim election fraud and so insinuate to his supporters that they should protest against the results of the elections, just as followers of the excluded candidate Hazem Abu Ismail have done in Tahrir and Abbasiya Squares. They have accused the PEC of plotting against their candidate to get him out of the race. Therefore, holding the presidential election will not mean an end to the dilemma. On the other hand, the ongoing conflict between Parliament and the Government is expected to worsen even after the election of a new president. With the absence of a constitution determining the respective authority of each State institution and how to form the government, whether by the president or by the parliamentary majority, would extend the delay in bringing stability to the country. The only way out of this dilemma is for all the political parties and even citizens to realise the major threat they present to the to their country if they continue to favour their personal or party interests at the cost of state stability. It is time for accord and rapprochement over one goal of showing some patience and calm in organising and supervising the presidential elections in a better climate. At the same time, there should be agreement over the members of the Constituent Assembly so as to start drawing up the constitution and clarifying the respective authority of the different executive, presidential and legislative institutions of the State.
