Supreme Election Committee Refrains from Carrying out Directive to Correct Sadat’s Status to Farmer; Sadat Calls on President for Fair Elections
On the basis of promises and assurances made by President Mubarak to conduct free and fair elections within a framework of justice and rule of law, Mr. Anwar Esmat el Sadat is calling on President Mubarak to demand his support, and to ensure that the elections stay fair and transparent. Recently, Mr. Sadat was wrongfully deprived of his status, running on the Farmer’s seat, and was changed to the “categories” seat, to face his brother Mr. Effat el Sadat, in the upcoming Parliament elections. Suspecting a corrupt attempt to interfere in Mr. Anwar Sadat’s campaign, he appealed this decision at the Administrative Court. The Court ruled in his favor, and issued a decision that his status should remain unchanged. The Court also issued a directive for the Supreme Elections Committee to follow suit, so that Mr. Sadat’s status could be officially corrected in his district, (Tala, governorate of Menofia).
When the directive was delivered to the Supreme Elections Committee, the Committee refused it. The Committee did not respond to the ruling to change Mr. Sadat’s representation, ignoring the Court’s directive and insisting that Mr. Sadat continue to run on the “categories” seat.
Faced with hurdle after hurdle, the Parliamentary elections thus far have been marred by corruption. Mr. Sadat sent a letter to President Mubarak, calling on him directly to uphold the law of Egypt as well as his promises, and to insist that the Supreme Elections Committee and Ministry of Interior acknowledge and implement the Administrative Court’s decision. With five days until the Parliamentary election, (set to be held November 28th), time is running short. It is necessary that President Mubarak upholds his promise of a free and fair election in a timely manner.
Anwar Esmat Sadat
Candidate for Parliament, Farmer’s Seat, Tala District, Menofia