02 Feb 2018 | 05:47 AM UTC
Egypt: Coalition calls for boycott of presidential election /update 2
Egyptian opposition and pro-democracy coalition calls for boycott of presidential election; al-Sisi threatens to take strong action against those allegedly trying to disrupt and delegitimize the election
Event
On Tuesday, January 30, a coalition of eight opposition parties and 150 pro-democracy figures called for a boycott of Egypt's 2018 presidential election, set for March 26-28. The Civilian Democratic Movement, formed in December 2017, accuses the regime of preventing a fair, competitive, and transparent election from being held.
The coalition's move follows a similar call for an electoral boycott from five political figures on Sunday, January 28, including Mohamed Anwar al-Sadat (nephew of former President Anwar al-Sadat), Abdel Moneim Aboul Fotouh (former leader of the Muslim Brotherhood), potential candidate and renowned scientist Essam Heggy, and Sami Annan's campaign director, Hisham Geneina. In response to the boycott movement, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi threatened to punish those allegedly trying to disrupt and delegitimize the presidential election on Wednesday, January 31.
An increase in the frequency and intensity of demonstrations is possible in advance of the March election, particularly in Cairo and other urban centers in Egypt. Demonstrations are likely to devolve into violent clashes between opposing political groups or between demonstrators and security forces. A heightened security presence is expected and associated transportation disruptions are possible.
Context
The 2018 presidential election is the third such election to take place in Egypt since Husni Mubarak was ousted from power by mass protests in 2011.
On January 30, the Egyptian Electoral Commission confirmed that current President al-Sisi and Moussa Mustafa Moussa, leader of the Al-Ghad party, were the two official candidates to the election. Moussa's candidacy, which came on the very last day of registration, was widely ridiculed on social media and portrayed by critics as a "face-saving" candidacy. In general, the Al-Ghad party is known to be a strong supporter of al-Sisi; Moussa is not anticipated to represent a significant threat to al-Sisi's reelection.
Advice
Individuals in Egypt are advised to keep abreast of the situation, avoid any related protests due to the risk of violence, which can break out with little to no warning, and adhere to all instructions issued by the local authorities.
