European Forum

Egypt’s presidential elections due in May

On 15 February Egypt’s military council (SCAF) announced presidential elections for May this year. Initially, the polls were scheduled for late June. Civilian protests and ongoing riots urged the current rulers to relinquish power to a civilian government sooner. The exact date would be determined by the elections committee of the country.

Presidential elections
It will be the first free presidential elections since the toppling of former president Mubarak a year ago. Earlier this month, the election committee confirmed that the registration for presidential candidacy will be opened on 10 March. The registration will last three weeks, after which the presidential hopefuls will have over six weeks of campaigning. Various individuals already declared their candidacy. The Freedom and Justice Party, the political arm of the Muslim Brotherhood that won the parliamentary elections a month ago, said it will not appoint a nominee. The newly elected president will serve a maximum of two four-year terms in office, according to rules that were approved by a referendum last year.

The SCAF
Although the power transfer process now seems to be accelerated, many Egyptians believe that the military council will cling on to some sort of power after the transition. Current protests are accusing the SCAF for human rights violations and stifling of dissent. In Egypt, the army has always been a very strong body. Since 1952, every president has emerged from the top of the military ranks.

Currently playing out
Presently the elections for Egypt’s upper house, the Shura Council, are ongoing. The Islamist parties are expected to gain most of the votes, similar to the elections for Egypt’s lower house. As the second round is now ongoing, the elections are already marked by a low voter turnout.

Sources: Radio Free Europe/ Radio Liberty, The Daily News Egypt, Al Jazeera 
Image: Flickr by Ahmed Abd El-fatah