Sabahi rejects boycott of Egypt's parliamentary elections
Ahram Online, Friday 27 Jun 2014
Former presidential candidate Hamdeen Sabahi says boycotting parliamentary elections will not help the current political situation
Presidential candidate Hamdeen Sabahi (Photo: Reuters)
Former presidential candidate Hamdeen Sabahi has said that boycotting parliamentary elections will not help the political situation, Aswat Masriya reported on Friday.
Leftist politician Sabahi, who is the founder of the Egyptian Popular Current, said "boycotting the parliamentary elections shows weakness and does not help the current political situation."
Parliamentary polls are set to start mid-July as per the Egyptian constitution, passed on 18 January.
Sabahi, speaking at a press conference he held at his Kafr El-Sheikh home district: "We must respect the different opinions of all Egyptians."
He added that the "square of revolution" has no place right now as many Egyptians believe that it contradicts with their own daily needs and their security.
A group of political parties and groups called for amending the parliamentary elections law, passed by former president Adly Mansour on his last day in office.
The Constitution Party, the Popular Socialist Alliance, the Karama Party, the Adl Party, the Freedom Egypt Party, as well as the Popular Current movement were among the groups.
The law was criticised by numerous parties who fear it will recreate the same political environment which allowed Hosni Mubarak's now-dissolved National Democratic Party to manipulate all political power.
The grouping of parties said the law should be amended to ensure the representation of all factions of society, as stated in the constitution. They said another memorandum of suggestions will be presented to the presidency once additional parties who share their objections are contacted in the coming days.
Sabahi, following his defeat in the presidential elections, had said he would work on forming a civilian democratic alternative that will keep on fighting for democracy, social justice and freedom – cornerstones of the 25 January revolution.
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