Egypt opposition coalition calls for boycotting Sisi's 'farce' elections
Egypt opposition coalition calls for boycotting Sisi's 'farce' elections
A coalition of eight Egyptian opposition parties and some 150 pro-democracy public figures are calling on voters to boycott the March presidential election, saying it amounts to a "farce"
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Sisi is certain to win the contest where he is virtually the only candidate [AFP]
A coalition of eight Egyptian opposition parties and some 150 pro-democracy public figures are calling on voters to boycott the March presidential election, saying it amounts to a "farce" or "absurdity bordering on madness."
The incumbent, general-turned-president Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi, is virtually certain to win the March 26-28 vote, sweeping aside a face-saving would-be candidate whose last-minute participation spared the government the embarrassment of a one-candidate election.
Tuesday's call for a boycott by the Civilian Democratic Movement comes just days after five opposition figures, including a 2012 presidential candidate and two top campaign aides for now-arrested presidential hopeful Sami Annan, called for a boycott of the vote and on Egyptians not to recognize the vote's outcome if it goes ahead.
They said "obstacles to the elections had started early with the spreading of a climate of fear over security and media and government bias."
The five also complained of a "tight timetable which did not give competitors a real chance to present themselves."
The National Election Authority announced on January 8 that the deadline for applications would be January 29.
They requested the elections be halted, and for the authority's work to cease, accusing it of covering up bias.
The five also complained of a "tight timetable which did not give competitors a real chance to present themselves."
The National Election Authority announced on January 8 that the deadline for applications would be January 29.
They requested the elections be halted, and for the authority's work to cease, accusing it of covering up bias.
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