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1/6/2002
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Initial Report of Parliamentary Elections 2005-Phase Two, Round One
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11/2005
Introduction
The Egyptian Organisation for Human Rights (EOHR) continues to watch and record parliamentary election 2005 during second phase. It may be said that violence and bullying acts have featured prominently during this phase peaking in Alexandria, Bihira, and Port Said Governorates. Security forces negative neutrality has also contributed to exacerbating violence and bullying acts perpetrated by some participating political forces, only differing in degree and method.
Most violence and bullying acts took place between National Democratic Party (NDP) candidates' advocates and advocates of rivals from Opposition and Muslim Brotherhood. More, NDP advocates used violence against voters themselves in order to force them vote for NDP candidates in Alexandria and Port Said. EOHR watchdogs were even subject to attack. For example, Mr. Yasser Sami, EOHR watchdog at Housh Eissa Constituency, Bihira, was kicked at and hit by hands by NDP's candidate Fawzy Al-Moughazy. Port Said Governorate has also witnessed EOHR's watchdog kidnap for three successive hours.
Downsides of Parliamentary Elections 2005, Phase Two do not stop there. There are, for example, an amazing NDP candidates spread of election bribes so candidates would not need run-offs such as happened in Al-Goumrouk, Al-Manshya, Mina Al-Basal Constituencies of Alexandria and Port Fouad and Al-Shark Constituencies of Port Said. And there are collective voting of non-resident voters such as happened in Alexandria. Plus, government employees misused their posts urging voters to caste their votes for NDP candidates such as happened in Qena where an EOHR watchdog recorded Qena Governorate's General Secretary in Sub-Committees 88:90 of Bahgourah, Nagea Hamadi urging voters to vote for NDP candidates.
"Initial Report of Parliamentary Elections 2005-Phase Two, Round One" cites examples of violations recorded by EOHR watchdogs during Parliamentary Elections 2005-Phase Two, Round One (hereafter referred to as Phase Two) and ends up with recommendations.
First: Violations As Recorded By EOHR Watchdogs
1. Soaring Violence and Bullying Acts. During Phase Two, many governorates have witnessed different forms of violence enacted by NDP candidates' advocates against opponents, voters, and EOHR watchdogs themselves. For example, in Alexandria a Mohamed Khalil Ibrahim, Private Chauffeur to Independent candidate Hassan Hussein (Guild) of Al-Goumrouk-Al-Mansheya Constituency died. Ibrahim was attacked by unknowns while standing in front of the Egyptian Company for Navigation warehouse Sub-Committee and stabbed by cold steel in different parts upon which he was sent to Raas Al-Teen Hospital, in a critical state, where he died.
An EOHR has also recorded NDP candidate's advocates attacking voters using cold steel and heavy sticks in Qaitbay School, Eastern port School, and Qasim Amin School Sub-Committees in Al-Goumrouk-Al-Mansheya Constituency. Voters were attacked to involuntarily vote for NDP candidate there. An Osama Al-Gammal was hurt in the face, breast, and left hand and was sent to Al-Awqaf (Endowment) Hospital, Raas Al-Teen.
In Martyr Mohamed Sayed Hanafi School Sub-Committee, Al-Montazah, NDP'S AND Muslim Brotherhood's advocates quarrelled. Five voters got injured: Mustafa Al-Sayed and Ahmed Qenawi, both sent to Mandaret Al-Asafrah Hospital, and Mahmoud Zayan, Hamdy Gad, and Sayed Eissa, all sent to Abou Qeer Hospital.
In Ibrahim Naguib School Sub-Committee, Karmouz Constituency, an EOHR watchdog recorded an attack incident in which NDP advocates attacked a Basem Desouqi Mohamed (17), a Muslim Brotherhood advocate. EOHR watchdogs met Mohamed's brother, Tarek, who said, "Basem was standing in front of Ibrahim Naguib School campaigning for Mr. Mahmoud Attya, a Muslim Brotherhood candidate. He was surprised by bullies rushing towards him. One of them hit him with a sword on the neck that got a left-side injury 10 cm length and 4 cm width. He was only saved when some Muslim Brotherhood advocates threw chairs at the attacker and that enabled us taking Basem away into the school. We headed directly to a superintending judge; but the bullies were still on our trail. The judge ordered bullies out, called security and asked them secure the school. Afterwards, we headed for the Governmental Hospital. An official record was filed Number 41, Personal."
In Qaitbay School Sub-Committee, Al-Goumrouk Constituency, an EOHR watchdog recorded NDP candidate's advocates attacking Muslim Brotherhood advocates early on election day. At 4:30 p.m., local timing, NDP advocates were back and, to their surprise, rallies of Muslim Brotherhood advocates were there. The two parties got entangled in a quarrel.
In Ibn Sinah, Al-Desouqi, and Al-Mansour Hussein Schools Sub-Committees security forces cordoned off the schools at 12:30 p.m. However, on a Muslim Brotherhood candidate's intervention, security forces broke away. Quarrels also broke out between NDP's and Muslim Brotherhood's candidates' advocates when NDP candidate attempted at letting voters from Bihira to vote in his favour.
In Bihira Governorate, an EOHR watchdog at Oum Al-Mohsnein School Subcommittee, Idquo-Rashid Constituency recorded three persons stabbing Mr. Ahmed Maatouq, Dr. Abdel Hamid Zagloul's, a Muslim Brotherhood candidate, agent in the neck. Maatouq was sent to the Governmental Hospital in Alexandria in a critical state. Residents were able to get hold of one of the attackers called Khamis Mohamed Salah.
In Port Said, an EOHR watchdog at Ahad School Sub-committee, Constituency Two of Al-Arab-Aldawahy security forces releasing tear bombs and firing at Al-Qabuty voters and Dr. Akram Al-Shaer's, a Muslim Brotherhood candidate, advocates. NDP candidate's advocates stormed the Sub-Committee smashing three (3) ballot boxes out of a total of four (4). They also burnt out election tickets in an attempt to replace them by others. Later on, EOHR watchdog recorded two ambulances loaded with three ballot boxes. The vehicles bore number plates 110 Gov. and 111 Gov.
In Port Fouad-Al-Sharq Constituency, an EOHR watchdog recorded NDP candidate's, Mahmoud Soubh, advocates attacking Muslim Brotherhood candidate's, Ahmed Al-Khoulany, advocates at Suzan Mubarak School Sub-Committees Number 7, 8, and 10. They also demolished Al-Khoulany's election pavilion. Suzan Mubarak School Committee Head was informed of the attacks and he said he had nothing to do with them. Consequently, clashes increased outside the school. Security forces fired at rallies in order to disentangle quarrellers. On the other hand, some Soubh advocates terrorized non-NDP voters from Al-Amal, Port Fouad off so only NDP voters were let in.
In Ismalia Governorate, a quarrel between Ahmed Abou Zeid's, NDP's candidate, advocates and Sabri Khalaf Allah's, a Muslim Brotherhood candidate, advocates at Constituency One. Abdel Aal Khalaf Allah, Mr. Sabri's brother, was injured due to a cold steel stab; he was sent, in a critical state, to the Ismaila University Hospital.
An EOHR watchdog at Al-Moushir and Al-Shuhadaa Schools Sub-Committees, Constituency One, District Two, Ismalia also recorded Ahmed Abou Zeid's, an NDP candidate, advocates attacking Mai Al-Sayed Abdel Qader, Magdah Al-Nweishi's, an Independent candidate, agent, with sticks and cold steel. The agent was injured in the head. Mohamed Hussein, a Newishi advocate, was also injured badly in the neck. Both Abdel Qader and Hussein were sent to Ismalia University Hospital. Security forces never intervened and only stood watching.
In Qaliubya Governorate, an EOHR watchdog at Kafr Shukr Preparatory School Sub-Committee recorded quarrels between NDP candidate's advocates and Muslim Brotherhood candidate's advocates. A voter called Mohamed Hassan Qandil (38), a carpenter, was injured. When interviewed, Qandil said, "We were surprised NDP advocates hit us with heavy sticks for no reason. I got a good one on the head and lost consciousness. I was then sent to Kafr Shukr Central Hospital and I got five stitches. I never knew those who beat us and I never saw them before."
In East District, Shubra Al-Kheima an EOHR watchdog recorded quarrels between Kamal Mohamed Shehatah's, a Muslim Brotherhood candidate, advocates and Mohamed Adawi's, NDP candidate, advocates. Many voters, being fired at and cold steel used were injured.
In Fayoum Governorate, an EOHR watchdog at Constituency Three recorded three quarrels between advocates of NDP and Muslim Brotherhood. NDP candidate's agent asked veiled women to uncover their faces in order to make sure of their identities, which the Muslim Brotherhood agent objected to vehemently. Veiled women on their part insisted they would never uncover their faces. Quarrels then broke out. Security forces intervened releasing tear gas bombs. Remaining voters, fearing of injuring, left without casting their votes.
2- EOHR's observers were subjected to physical attacks and kidnapping by the supporters of the NDP candidates to prevent them from to carry out the observatory task. Observer Yasser Samy, who was observing at Hosh Esa- Behaira, was subjected to kicking and punching by the supporters of the NDP candidate Fawzy el Ghazy and he was kicked out of the polling station in Seedy Ghazy School. Samy stated that:" A group of people approached me and asked me what i am doing inside the station, i told them I am an observer from EOHR, they ordered me to leave the station immediately. While I was on my way out, the NDP candidate El Ghazy was entering the station, and when they told him that I am an EOHR observer he started punching me in the face, torn my shirt and kicked me".
Sebaheyyia School Station, Gozor el Ganoob Arab el Dawahy- Portsaid, witnessed an incident of kidnapping EOHR's observer Sanad Ali Sanad by the supporters of the NDP candidate Hussainy Abu Kamar. Sanad stated that:"At 9:30 PM I tried to enter Sebaheyyia Station, I was able to enter once, but after that the judge refused to allow me in even after showing my EOHR warrant, and while i was exiting the station a group of unidentified persons tied me and threatened me, i called for the police officer for help but he ignored me. After they let me go I tried once again to but i was surrounded by seven persons, one of them was threatening me with a knife and then they carried me and threw me out of the station. I was blindfolded they forced me to ride a boat where they took me to a place where they kept me guarded by a sword-armed man, I fainted and I woke up to find myself lying on the road, and it was about 12 noon."
3- The increase of bribery: in Alexandria, EOHR observers recorded the supporters of the NDP candidate in Gomrok and Manshyia distributing money to the voters to encourage them to vote for the NDP.
EOHR's observers recorded in Yousef el Seba'y School in Mena el Basal that there is a kiosk where the NDP supporters use to distribute 50 LE for each voter who would vote for the NDP candidate Safi el Sagheer.
EOHR's observers recorded also in Portsaid the supporters of the NDP candidate Mahmoud Sobh giving away money to the voters in exchange of their votes. The price of one vote reached 100 LE and 300 LE before closing the polling stations.
4- Mass voting for the NDP candidates: EOHR's observer recorded in Ebn Sina School, Alexandria the NDP candidate Khaled Abu Ismail transporting villagers from Behaira villages in taxies with numbers 1156 and 6815 to vote for him, in addition to closing the station for one and half hour.
EOHR's observer in Suiz recorded the NDP candidate Ali Suliman transporting the workers of petrol companies to vote for him in el Shohada School.
5- Preventing EOHR's observers and candidates' representative for entering the polling stations: In Alexandria, the head of Station 67 in Ekhlas School refused to allow EOHR's representative Sayid Muhamed Abdul Wahed. The head of Station 115 in Bakos School refused to let EOHR's observer into the station, the same took place also in Stations No. 83, 84 and 86 in the 1st Constituency , Ismailyia.
Concerning the candidates representatives, EOHR's observer recorded the head of Omar Makram School, Suiz, prevented Wafaa Ibrahim, a representative of Muhamed Ibrahim Saleh from entering the station. In Adabyia School, Suiz, the head of the station and some police forces prevented representatives from entering the station.
Reaching the level of arresting some of the supporters of the opposition, EOHR recorded in Behaira some police forces arresting 10 persons of the supporters of the Brotherhood in Idco and Rashid constituencies including Muhamed Seqelly, Muhamed Ramadan, Ahmed Ashur, Magdy Kamel Sanhury, Ahmed Abdel Salam, Tamer Mansour, Hasan Mady and Muhamed Hassan Bonkoq. In Damanhour Constituency , some police forces arrested 300 persons from the supporters of the Brotherhood Candidate Gamal Heshmat in front of Om el Momeneen and Sadat Schools where they were preventing voters to vote for the NDP candidate Mustafa el Feqhy.
6- Misconduct of the heads of the polling stations:
EOHR's observer recorded in Suiz the head of Station 2 adding the fourth name of one of the voters Muhamed Hassan Mustafa (no. 111). In Omar Makram Station, the head prevented voters from voting in 6 stations (no. 61-67) which lead to the accumulation of voters outside the station and leaving without voting. In Station 61 the head of the station voted instead of a lady called Fakhryia Hassan Ahmed (Reg No. 38009) in favor of NDP.
The 3rd Constituency Fayioum, the head of Station 67 allowed voters to vote with their ID without reviewing the elections rolls, later the head of the station was voting instead of the voters.
EOHR's observer in Qalubyia recorded the head of Quanater School Station No.7 and 11 closing the station from 5:20 PM till 5:35 to take lunch. EOHR's observer noticed the head of Station 7 coming out of station 10 with the box of station 7 and coming back to his station.
Recommendations
EOHR expresses its condemnation to all the violations took place in the elections second phase, especially the acts of violence and bullying that took place in many polling stations. EOHR recommends, therefore,
1. That security forces should abandon their negative neutrality during upcoming election phases starting from ballot opening to canvass of vote and result announcement in order to help secure citizens' lives and security. Security forces officials should also put comprehensive security strategies and to provide essential technical and financial resources of implementation;
2. That security forces should arrest violence and bullying acts perpetrators during Second Phase, and that they should be immediately investigated and sent for trial as soon as possible so rioting and bullying would not happen again;
3. That security forces should properly protect Civil Society watchdogs while doing their job, and that watchdogs as well as candidates' agents should be able to observe all election stages starting from balloting, through accompanying ballot boxes, and ending with canvass of vote;
4. That PEHC should take procedures guaranteeing full implementation of articles on the punishment of rioters, bullies, vote riggers by force or by attacking election posts-articles stated in Law 73 (1956) and its modified form Law 173 (2005). And in order to avoid collective non-resident voting cases, Article 11 of Law 73 (1956) should be modified.
Finally, EOHR stresses that, in order that election downsides such as violence and bullying acts, collective registration cases, and bribes would not recur, political will should exist in order to march forward steadily in the long way of political and constitutional reform. This can only be done through a nation-wide dialogue in which all political and partisan forces, Civil Society, and intellectuals participate. No less important is to integrate all political forces into the democratic reform and transformation process.
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