Egypt: Fears Raised that Activists Will Boycott Elections

In Marc Lynch‘s September 6 piece “Will Egypt’s Activists Boycott the Election?” Lynch worries that the activists of  Tahrir Square, who see themselves as the “soul of the revolution” will threaten to boycott November’s Parliamentary elections. After struggling with dwindling support from the Egyptian public after the July 8 protest, activist groups like the Revolutionary Youth Council have called for another “million man march” on September 9. The gathering seeks to recapture the energy of the revolution’s early days while pressuring the SCAF into accepting concessions, as part of a larger “course correction” for the revolution.

While the Revolutionary Youth Council has put forth demands for abolishing repression of protests, for the ouster of NDP affiliates from the political sphere in Egypt, and for setting wage limitations, Lynch argues that the real issue of concern lies within election laws, which have the capacity to extend SCAF rule.  Of greatest concern to Lynch is the effect such a boycott could have on the revolution’s legitimacy both at home and internationally.  Even the threat of a boycott may potentially discredit the elections, the revolution, and “will keep Egypt locked in political crisis,” effectively thwarting any attempts to reach “a broad consensus on a new constitution and to establish enduring democratic principles.”

The judge presiding over the trial of former president Hosni Mubarak has summoned Defense Minister Mohammed Hussein Tantawi as a witness. Tantawi -the defacto leader of Egypt- will add yet another wrinkle to an already boisterous trial in which a witness was accused of perjuring himself after changing his testimony. Both the defense and the prosecution have requested Tantawi’s testimony in the hopes of ascertaining whether orders were given to use live ammunition against protesters. Still, there is a fear amongst many Egyptians that  “the case against Mr Mubarak and his security officials will collapse and that no one will be held accountable” for those who died during the uprising.