Egypt's Muslim Brothers to vote in elections, not for Mubarak
Egypt, Politics, 8/22/2005

The banned Muslim Brothers group in Egypt called on its members and supporters to take part in the presidential elections due on September 7th and urged them not to vote for the Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak who is seeking a fifth presidential term of office.

In a statement read by the general Murshid ( Guide) Mahdi Akef in a press conference held in Cairo, the group called for the need of "accuracy in selection." It stressed that "all Muslim Brothers should know that we cannot support an oppressor or cooperate with a tyrant." Thereby, the group abstained from supporting any of the 9 competing candidates, leaving the door open before to its supporters to choose the candidate of their choice.

In press statements issued on Sunday, Akef said that it is impossible that his group will support Mubarak for a fifth term of office, noting that during his 24 year in power Mubarak has not made reforms.

For his part, the deputy general guide for the Muslim Brothers in Egypt, Muhamnad Habib, said on Sunday that the group left for its members decide on which candidate to vote for or not to vote to any of them, which means to put a blank paper as a vote.

Worthy mentioning that the leader of al-Ghad party and one of the main opposition candidates in the election, Aymen Nour, had visited the leader of the Muslim Brothers group earlier this month. It was said that the aim of the visit was to gain the support of the group for his nomination in challenge of Mubarak who is mostly expected to win the elections.

Previous Stories:
  Standards set for Egypt's campaign broadcasts   (8/20/2005)
  Mubarak in Yedioth Ahronoth interview warns of turning Gaza into 'huge prison'   (8/20/2005)
  Welch: Egyptians can have free, transparent presidential election   (8/19/2005)

Please add a link on your webiste pointing to ArabicNews.com and bookmark ArabicNews.com & subscribe to our daily email news bulletin.

Search