Al-Ahram: Al-Wafd leader rejects international observers for presidential elections

Opposition Al Wafd party leader in Egypt, Noaman Gomaa, rejected any international monitoring on the presidential elections due to be held in September.

Gomaa said his decision to run in the presidential elections came in response of the higher body to Al Wafd.

In an interview with al-Ahram, Gomaa said he would apply on Wednesday for the presidential elections.

Meanwhile, Mofeed Shehab, Secretary of professionals at the National Democratic Party, said that the Policy Secretariat was preparing papers on the electoral platform of President Hosni Mubarak, leader of the party.

Three new candidates applied to the supreme elections commission to compete in the country's first multi-candidate presidential elections.

Hisham Gaber, the leader of Misr Al-Fatah party and Ahmed Bayoumi, the leader of Democratic Peace party presented the commission's secretary general Osama Atawiya.

Atawiya said that Atef Bodi, an independent candidate, also applied on Tuesday.

He added that 14 party candidates and six independents have announced their candidacy to the commission.

The statements came two days before the commission's deadline for getting applications of presidential hopefuls.

Three more ladies applied for the presidential race.

They are Tafida Gamal Eddin, Reem Mohamed Ali and Hamdia Ahmad