Egypt's rough ride towards democracy
http://www.gulf-daily-news.com/NewsDetails.aspx?storyid=328322
By JAMAL KANJ
, Posted on » Thursday, April 19, 2012
THE upcoming Egyptian presidential election has started with a wild
ride. The contenders cover a wide political spectrum ranging from
ultra-conservatives to leftists; from anti-dictators to Hosni Mubarak's
subservients; from the solemn to the buffoons.
This is the essence of democracy, where everyone has an equal
opportunity in the court of public opinions. And it comes with the
promise that Egypt will never again get stuck with a president for life,
or until another Tahrir Square revolution.
On the less cheery side, the absence of the young generation is
disheartening as the average age of candidates is 75, especially since
the youth was the vibrant blood that made democracy a reality.
Equally unfortunate is the sidelining of the genuine progressive
opposition. Particularly when key candidates served the old regime at
one point or another, or were members of political parties that enjoyed
undeclared dŽtente with Mr Mubarak and his children.
The Supreme Presidential Electoral Commission (SPEC) added excitement
by its final decision on Tuesday night to reject three major candidates
representing the old system and Islamist parties.
Its rationalisation ranged from mere technical anomalies for Omar
Suleiman to past "criminal" records of the Muslim Brotherhood's
candidate. It is worth noting that most presumed "criminal" offences
were connected with "illegal" conduct against the deposed dictator.
SPEC should have instead sent a clear message by rejecting Mr
Suleiman beyond the technicalities. He should be banned for his role in
the toppled authoritarian regime which made him incapable, at least
during the immediate transition, to play a role in the new democracy.
It is feared the SPEC decision to reject candidates for having a
questionable "criminal record" will stir up protests that may derail the
transfer of power, thus granting the Military Council its wish by
delaying the transition to civilian rule.
A little over a month after Mr Mubarak's resignation, the council
declared a presidential election would take place no later than last
November. By early summer, it suggested a constituent assembly must
draft a new constitution before election, meaning the polls were pushed
back to June.
Frustrated by the council's indecision, the opposition went back to
the street, forcing it to hold parliamentary elections and advance the
presidential poll to next month.
Under the ruling "old guard" who have mismanaged the transfer of
power, the economy has plummeted, public security deteriorated and
services have declined.
This has created an environment of uncertainty, leading many to start
questioning the judgement of removing the dictator in the first place.
The writing of the constitution remains a major point of contention
between liberals, military and religious groups who dominate the panel
charting it. The dispute over representation gave grounds to the council
to suspend the panel formed by parliament.
Last weekend, the generals reaffirmed that the new constitution
should come before a presidential election. Along with the panel's
suspension, this has raised concerns that the council and SPEC - in
their latest theatrical exercise - were in cahoots as part of a
co-ordinated effort to derail progress towards genuine democracy.
The question is whether the "old guard" will succeed in driving Egypt
into an abyss of polished dictatorship or managed democracy.
Mr Kanj writes frequently on Arab world issues and is the author of
Children of Catastrophe, Journey from a Palestinian Refugee Camp to
America. He can be reached at [email protected]