Egyptian politicians out in full force vote

Egyptian politicians and government officials went to the polls on Saturday to take part in the second stage of the referendum on the country’s controversial draft constitution. Prime Minister Kandil described the moment as “critical,” while Muslim Brotherhood General Guide Mohammed Badia criticised the media. Opposition leader Hamdin Sabbahi has also announced the National Salvation Front’s intention to enter the electoral fray when parliamentary polls are called. Prime Minister Hesham Kandil cast his vote at a polling station in the Survey Authority in the district of el-Dokki [Giza] amid heavy security. The PM was stopped by some voters for a chat about the constitution and to discuss popular views after which he joined the queue. Speaking to the press after casting his ballot, the PM said he had toured a number of polling stations after dawn prayers to ensure the arrival of ballot boxes and security personnel. He also said he had asked that the number of officials assisting judges be increased. Described the current times as “critical,” Kandil said he was “proud” of the Egyptian people, adding that he hoped for a heavier voter turnout “so that the people may be sure that this is their voice and no-one else is speaking for them.” The chairman of the Freedom and Justice Party [FJP], Saad el-Katatni, voted in the Generation 2000 School polling station in October 6 City after queuing nearly 15 minutes. The Governor of Giza, Ali Abdelrahman, who voted at the Adala Prep and Secondary School on el-Mamoun St, told the press that governorate authorities had prepared for the referendum process in cooperation with the police and armed forces. The General Guide of the Muslim Brotherhood, Mohammed Badia, also made remarks to the press as he cast his ballot in today’s referendum. The Islamist leader, who voted in the Modern Girls’ School [Beni Sueif] criticised “some media outlets,” which he accused of sensationalism,” for “trying to drive a wedge” between him and the Egyptian military.” Badia denied accusing military leaders of corruption on Friday, explaining that he had meant to say that “the Egyptian people in its entirety has suffered from the corruption of its rulers.” He asserted his “respect” for the Egyptian armed forces. The Muslim Brotherhood leader said rumours that he is the true ruler of Egypt were “false,” adding “If I really ruled Egypt, I would not stand in line to cast my vote and my office would not have been burnt.” The Muslim Brotherhood chief “pled” with the media to ensure “accuracy” and “objectivity” and to ascertain the truth of reported speech and avoid “misinterpreting” it “for purposes within some minds that bears ill for Egypt.” Badia also lauded the police for their role in the process and criticised members of the public for demanding to see judges’ documentation. “The judges have proved their loyalty to the Egyptian people and the homeland,” he said. Describing the vote on the draft constitution as “historic,” Badia said approving the charter would “usher in a new era under an elected president and a just political situation.” He added that “alliances and coalitions” were possible after stability is achieved. Ali Gomaa, Egypt’s Grand Mufti, also voted at a school in the el-Qaria el-Siaheya el-Oula at el-Hay el-Mutamayez in October. He queued with other voters and refused to make a statement to the press. The Education Minister, Ibrahim Ghoneim, voted at the el-Nahda school in Ismailia. The minister said he voted Yes and added that he respected all political opinions, both for and against the referendum. Former presidential candidate and member in the National Salvation Front [NSF] Hamdin Sabbahi said in remarks made while he cast his ballot that the opposition bloc “respects the result the ballot box brings whatever they may be.” Criticising the draft constitution put to the referendum for not enjoying national consensus, the Nasserist politician said a result of 51 percent for the draft charter would lack popular support. A constitution, Sabbahi said, should be subject to consensus by all citizens and there should be no disputes over its articles. He added that President Morsi had promised that he would not put the draft constitution to a referendum before popular consensus is reached and accused the president of not meeting his own promises. Sabbahi also announced the NSF’s intention to take part in the upcoming parliamentary elections. The bloc, he added, will demand legal safeguards guaranteeing fairness and that no one group or ideology is able to dominate the seats as in the last elections. The deputy chairman of the Muslim Brotherhood-affiliate d Freedom and Justice Party, Essam el-Erian posted a statement early Saturday morning on his Facebook page reading: “Upon the announcement of the final results of the referendum, everyone will recognise the scope of the deliberate distortion and strategic dissimulation which has been used against Egypt via the same American methods that have led to the invasion of Iraq through lies and deceit practiced by global, regional and Arab forces against Egypt, the draft constitution, the presidency and the public in Egypt.” El-Erian added that the conclusion of the second stage of the referendum would mark the beginning of “a new era for Egypt, the Arab world and the entire region under the heading of ‘The people decide.’” “There shall be no more pharaohs in Egypt and no more despots in the Arab world,” the Muslim Brotherhood and party official wrote, adding that “everyone […] shall be equal before the law.” Under the new constitution, el-Erian wrote “Christians in Egypt and in the Arab world shall enjoy the full rights of citizenship and emigration due to persecution and discrimination and search of employment opportunities shall stop.” “With the announcement of the results, everyone shall recognise that this people is difficult to deceive and that [they] it capable of making history […] in spite of everyone,” the statement concluded. El-Erian made another post after voting in which he described the queues outside polling stations as “civilised” adding that the phenomenon is “a slap in the face to all who insulted Egyptians’ dignity and claimed they were incapable of democratic practices.” In a post on his official Facebook page, the FJP official lauded the unity and “optimism” of voters in his queue with whom he said he shared “jokes” and discussed current affairs as they waited for two hours to vote, with “no Egyptian asking his brother if he is voting Yes or No” and “respecting the right to disagree.” “Congratulations to Egypt, whatever the result. Together, we will build our country,” the post concluded.   The figureheads of Egyptian politics join millions of voters who have headed to the polls Saturday to cast their ballots in the second and last stage of the referendum on Egypt’s draft constitution. The vote covers 17 provinces: Giza, Qaliobeia, Menoufeia, Behira, Kafr el-Sheikh, Damietta, Ismailia, Port Said, Suez, Matrouh, the Red Sea, the New Valley, Fayyum, Beni Sueif, Menia, Luxor and Qena. The first stage of voting [which included top urban centres Cairo and Alexandria], held in mid-December, resulted in a 57-percent Yes vote. The constitution will go into effect on a 50 percent plus one result.