Islamists seek to extend gains in Egypt run-off vote
Dec 05, 2011
CAIRO- Egyptians voted on Monday in run-off contests for parliamentary seats, with the Muslim Brotherhood's party trying to extend its lead over hardline Islamists and liberal parties in a political landscape redrawn by the overthrow of Hosni Mubarak.
CAIRO- Egyptians voted on Monday in run-off contests for parliamentary seats, with the Muslim Brotherhood's party trying to extend its lead over hardline Islamists and liberal parties in a political landscape redrawn by the overthrow of Hosni Mubarak.
The Brotherhood's Freedom and Justice Party (FJP) is set to take the most seats in Egypt's first free election in six decades, strengthening its hand in a possible struggle with the ruling army council for influence over the most populous Arab nation.
Formally banned from politics until a popular uprising ended Mubarak's three-decade rule in February, the movement emerged as the main winner from last week's first-round vote and called on its rivals to "accept the will of the people".
Its stiffest competition has come from the ultra-conservative Salafi al-Nour Party. Alexandria, Egypt's second city was expected to see some of the tightest races between the two parties in the run-off votes for individual candidates.
The phased election runs over six weeks, ending in January, and is part of a lengthy transition to civilian rule in July after a presidential election in June.
The rise of the Salafis has sparked fear among many ordinary Egyptians because of their uncompromising insistence that strict sharia (Islamic law) should govern all aspects of society.
The more pragmatic Brotherhood appears unlikely to ally with Salafis who only recently ventured from preaching into politics.
"The Salafis are abiding by sharia ... while the Brotherhood plays politics," said Amin Ibrahim, 38, a print worker voting in Alexandria, regarded as a stronghold of Islamists.
Nour Party leader Emad Abdel Ghaffour made it clear he would not play second fiddle to the Brotherhood.
"We hate being followers," Ghaffour told Reuters in an interview. "They always say we take positions according to the Brotherhood but we have our own vision... There might be a consensus but ... we will remain independent."
Reuters
Voting got off to a slow start in Cairo, Alexandria and Port Said, in contrast to the early queues at polling stations in last week's election, when officials put turnout at 62 percent.