The expectations for the Egyptian parliamentary elections which took place a few months ago were high; being the first democratic and free elections in the country for more than half a century. The preparations were followed intensely by local and international media and debates and articles fill TV- and radio-programs, newspapers and magazines. But most of the focus was on the capital Cairo and it often forgot that more that half the voters were found in areas outside the metropolis and other major cities.
Read More
The Egyptian electoral system is the outcome of a long process, starting from the inauguration of the first parliament in 1866. In its present form it reflects the changing political ideologies under the regimes of The Free Officers and President Gamal Abdel Nasser (1952-1970) and his "Arab-Socialism" and the economic liberalization during President Anwar Sadat (1970-1981). In addition to this, changes were made in connection with the last elections held under President Hosny Mubarak in November 2010. The Egyptian parliament consists of two chambers, the People's Assembly (Majlis al-sha'ab) and the Consultative Council (Majlis al-shura). The country has until the last elections for the People's Assembly been divided into 222 constituencies each electing two candidates. The president of Egypt has had the right to appoint an additional 10 members to the Assembly. This right has - in t
Read More
One of the central features of politics and elections in the southern part of Egypt is the tribal organization. In many areas, tribes have for the past decades had a decisive influence on elections and their outcome. During the upcoming elections this power is going to be challenged by the new political parties, but the question is whether they will be able to overcome the already well-established system. From south of Cairo to the most southern city of Aswan, tribes are central for the political process and important to take into account when discussing elections. In some areas tribal influence is so strong that no one will think about elections without thinking about tribal alliances and tribal politics. In these areas, elections are not seen as a competition between parties and political ideas, but as the tribe of Ababdah against the tribe of Ja'afra to mention two of the larger tribes in the most southern parts of Egypt. Thinki
Read More
With the new law governing the parliamentary elections in Egypt, most constituencies have been changed. In many cases, constituencies now cover much larger areas and more voters. This has become one of the largest challenges to candidates and parties - new as well as old. Constituencies in Egypt have become large, some are very large, through the new electoral law. In some of the populous areas of Cairo, may cover two or three million inhabitants. In the rural areas the number of voters is less, but the new larger constituencies do constitute a new challenge to both candidates and voters. Today, the constituency of "Aswan First" covers the whole of the area of the most southern governorate in Egypt, Aswan. During former elections this constituency was divided into three, roughly covering the city of Aswan and its vicinities, the city of Kom Ombo and the area around the Nubian settlements in Nasr al-Nuba, and the most northern dis
Read More
The first day of the second round of the Egyptian parliamentary elections has come to an end. This round covers nine governorates; Giza, Beni Suef, Menufiyyah, Sharqiyyah, Ismailiyyah, Suez, Buhayra, Sohag, and Aswan. The results will give an indication of how the voters in the rural governorates choose to use their votes. Speculations about the outcome of this round of elections are abundant, but most voters agree that the sweeping victories of Islamic parties; Freedom and Justice Party (FJP) and al-Nur will be repeated, and only a few seats will go to the liberals and the parties created by former members of the National Democratic Party (Hizb al-Watany). Each voter should cast three votes: one for the party list and two for individual candidates (one for a worker/peasant candidate and one for a professional candidate (private business or candidates holding a degree from a higher educational institutio
Read More
