Egyptian tyrant Sisi nominates himself in electoral farce

The Egyptian leader, Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, has declared his intention to seek a third term in the upcoming presidential elections, scheduled for December. [1]

Contents

Citizens facing obstacles in supporting opposition Return when we are open!Election watchdog reviews complaints while labelling them baseless Analysis A regime of oppression & violence Elected to office with nearly 100% of votes The Rabaa massacre Also read

While many anticipate Sisi’s victory — given his past landslide wins nearing 100 per cent of the vote — Egypt finds itself grappling with a severe economic crisis, skyrocketing inflation, a sharply devalued currency, and harassment and intimidation directed at political opposition candidates.

Confirming his intent to extend the time in office by another six years, the former Field Marshal stated in brief remarks,

“I have decided to nominate myself to complete the dream during a new presidential term.

“I call on all Egyptians to participate in this democratic scene to choose with their patriotic conscience who is worthy.” [1]

Citizens facing obstacles in supporting opposition

Ahmed Tantawi, a former member of the Egyptian House of Representatives and the most prominent potential opponent to Sisi, has alleged that citizens supporting his candidacy faced obstacles when attempting to register their support.

Prospective candidates are required to gather 25,000 public signatures or gain the support of twenty members of parliament — an institution largely aligned with Sisi.

Return when we are open!

Many citizens attempting to register their support for Tantawi were informed that the registration system was malfunctioning, instructed to return later, or directed to another location, according to Mohamed Abol Deyar, the campaign manager for the opposition figure.

Tantawi’s campaign has positioned him as the “rule of law” candidate, sharing videos of him accompanying supporters to registration offices.

In a video circulated by his campaign, dozens chanted “bread, freedom, social justice” — the iconic slogan of the 2011 revolution that ousted long time ruler Hosni Mubarak.

On Sunday, a defiant Tantawi told supporters,

“In the end, they will not be able to say sorry, you don’t have enough nominations.” [1]

Election watchdog reviews complaints while labelling them baseless

Under Sisi’s leadership, protests have been banned, and the Civil Democratic Movement, which brings together several small opposition parties, issued a statement alleging multiple violations against those attempting to nominate candidates to challenge the incumbent.

Egypt’s National Election Authority has declared that it is investigating these complaints while dismissing them as baseless.

Critics, however, maintain that the upcoming elections are marred by irregularities that call into question their fairness and legitimacy.

Analysis

ANALYSIS

Shaheer Choudhury

Head of Editorial

It is unlikely that anybody ever expected Abdul Fattah al-Sisi — mastermind of the horrific Rabaa massacre — to simply step down after his two terms were complete.

To this end, he had already prepared for 2023 by pushing through constitutional amendments in 2019 that exempted him from the two-term limit.

As as result, the authoritarian regime now has a clear shot at extending its rule for another six years, while ordinary Egyptians suffer through economic uncertainty and continued power shortages.

Amidst credit agency Moody's ongoing deliberations over downgrading the country's rating, the Sisi government is being welcomed by Western leaders with open arms while Palestinians in the Gaza Strip continue to choke under the Egyptian-Israeli blockade.

In addition, the government recently banned schoolgirls from donning the niqab — many have likened this unacceptable step to a cheap imitation of France and its abaya ban of recent weeks. It is, therefore, highly questionable as to whether another Sisi presidency will be of benefit to Muslims in Egypt and beyond.

A regime of oppression & violence

Approximately 65 million eligible Egyptian voters will cast their ballots between 10-12 December, with overseas citizens participating through 1-3 December.

Despite a handful of politicians vying for the presidency, none pose a significant challenge to Sisi, who has held power since 2013.

Elected to office with nearly 100% of votes

After instigating the violent military overthrow of Egypt’s one and only democratically elected president, Dr. Mohamed Morsi, in 2013, Sisi was declared the victor in the 2014 and 2018 presidential elections with an overwhelming 97 per cent of the vote.

Independent observers have noted that these elections were neither free nor fair.

Sisi’s tenure has seen a major, and often violent crackdown, on the freedom of assembly, association, and expression, with tens of thousands of activists, journalists, and political opponents understood to be imprisoned or in exile.

Most alarmingly, many have been executed, and rights organisations have been criminalised by the regime in addition to having their websites removed. The Muslim Brotherhood continues to be outlawed as a “terrorist” organisation. [2]

The Rabaa massacre

Shortly after the overthrow of President Morsi, then Field Marshal Sisi instructed the Egyptian military to crush the vast popular demonstrations that had arisen in response to the coup d’état.

In what would come to be known as the Rabaa massacre, hundreds of civilian protestors were murdered by security forces, with hundreds more detained and tortured. [3]

Is this the man that Egypt needs to steer it through its current challenges?