Day second Presidential poll begins in Egypt

The Presidential poll in Egypt enters its second day as the country gears up to choose their first ever democratically elected President. Voting is expected to start at 8 AM (local time). For ordinary Egyptians, the two days of voting is a life-changing moment as they get to choose their own civilian President (through voting) for the first time in the country’s history. The current military council has assured of a fair election and a civilian government.

In the two days of first and free presidential election, fifty million eligible voters would decide their favorite candidate out of 12. Running among the top are Md. Mursi (Muslim Brotherhood-led Freedom and Justice Party), Ahmad Shafiq (briefly held the post of Prime Minister during Mubarak regime in Feb 2011), Amr Moussa (Arab League) and Abdul Moneim Aboul Fotouh (independent Islamist).

Preliminary results are expected to come in on Sunday. In case President is not selected, a run-off vote is going to be held on 16 and 17 June.

The last 15 months of post-Hosni Mubarak era has been marked by violent protests and power struggle. This has cast a major blow to FDI (foreign direct investment). Tourism, one of the major sources of income, has also reduced to one-third. Egypt’s President-to-be has a major challenge ahead to live up to people's expectations.

Egyptian Parliament begins its first session amidst cheer and skepticism

Almost a year has passed post Hosni Mubarak’s ouster, as Egypt’s military government is reported to bequeath its legislative power to the People’s Assembly (lower house of parliament). With this begins the first working session of Egyptian Parliament backed up by people’s mandate. The day is just two days prior to the historic January 25th, when Egypt saw its first uprising against the ruling establishment last year.

It is also a great moment for Muslim Brotherhood. Not only they have gained democratic legitimacy but have also emerged as the largest parliamentary group with 235 seats out of the 498 contested seats in the People’s assembly. There are also 10 more seats that are to be nominated by the Supreme Council of the Armed forces (SCAF).

This is undoubtedly a historic moment for Egypt. Men were seen breaking into impromptu dance and singing patriotic and religious songs and cheering their new leaders. There is also a widespread skepticism about the level of autonomy with which the newly elected people’s representative would govern. Understandably so, as Egypt’s military still have the power to ratify or veto bills. Nevertheless, this is a new beginning for Egypt and Egyptians.

Hosni Mubarak the ousted Egyptian President faces the trial

Hosni Mubarak, the 83-year-old former Egyptian head, appeared before the Cairo court in a gurney on Monday. Besides his two sons, Gamaal and Alaa, ex-security chief as well as six of the top police commanders during Mubarak’s regime also face trial. A verdict is expected to be reached before January 25th, to commemorate the day uprising began last year in Egypt. However, this would largely depend on how long the case proceeds and the time it takes for reviewing the evidences and documents presented.

Hosni Mubarak has been charged with killing over 800 anti-regime protesters. In the same case, he has also been accused of misusing his power by earning profit from selling gas to Israel below the prevailing market rates. Understandably, he has denied such charges. It is reported that prosecutors would have three days to present their case before the court, beginning Tuesday.

Meanwhile, there is a growing speculation in Egypt that the proceedings of the court would be manipulated or, at the very least, diluted to make way for Mubarak’s easy acquittal. Already five of the six police commanders of Mubarak’s era have been adjudged not guilty by another court in Cairo on Thursday. But should the trial be a cake walk for Mubarak, with the whole world watching? That remains to be seen.

Egypt’s Muslim Brotherhood squashed possibility of alliance with ultraconservatives

In an attempt to address the concerns of youths and like-minded liberals in Egypt on Thursday, Muslim Brotherhood has denied any possibility of alliance with such parties who are ‘ultraconservatives’. In fact, they claimed to have no such reservations to form a coalition government with more liberal political partners. This is in response to the assumptions being made about the likelihood of a majority alliance between Muslim Brotherhood’s Freedom and Justice Party and the ultraconservative Al Noor Salafi Muslim party.

Thursday also saw Egyptian administration postponing the declaration of the first phase of parliamentary election results by a day to Friday, stating record turnout as the possible reason. But, unofficially, it is confirmed that Muslim Brotherhood has already notched up the first place in the first round of the three round parliamentary elections.

After lifting of ban since the ouster of Hosni Mubarak, Muslim Brotherhood, the main stream Islamist group in Egypt, has been busy in image building. They seem to come across as a responsible, forward-thinking Islamist party who are serious about nation building. In the two days of the parliamentary elections, they were seen trying to reach out to all sections of people with pamphlets and fliers and also helping people out with poll procedures. Whoever wins the elections, a tough balancing job is awaiting them – steering the country away from fanatics and poverty and at the same time gain the confidence of its people.

Egyptian military government selects Kamal Ganzouri as the interim Premier

It seems the more Egyptians ask for change in political power, the more situation remains the same for Egypt. In a desperate bid to cling to power, the military regime in Egypt has nominated Kamal Ganzouri to be the head of the new ‘national salvation’ government on Friday. In response to the new development, protestors in Cairo have threatened to tighten the screw further on the present military administration through renewed agitation across the country.

Interestingly, this is the second time Ganzouri would reclaim the post of Prime Minister. His previous tenure was under Hosni Mubarak, the former Egyptian President ousted in February this year. Kamal Ganzouri, the 78-year political veteran and economist in Egypt, had also held the post of minister of Planning and International cooperation.

Earlier this week, civilian cabinet headed by then Prime Minister Essam Sharaf has offered resignation amidst violent protest across the nation. As of now, Egyptian military government has refused to step down before the upcoming parliamentary elections starting on Monday. Elections are reported to be right on schedule despite the ongoing unrest.

Violence erupts in Cairo as military government struggles with protestors

On Sunday, the city of Cairo saw fresh eruption of violence as thousands of demonstrators took to the street demanding the end of military government. They were demanding quick transfer of power from military to civilian rule.The protest took an ugly turn when Egyptian troops tried to evict the demonstrators from Tahir Square, the city’s landmark, using force. The unrest soon spread to other cities in Egypt, claiming not less than 10 lives and leaving hundreds injured.

The use of rubber bullets and tear gas on civilians worsened the situation on Sunday’s rally. It is reported that many of the protesters were beaten and taken into custody by security forces. The action of Egyptian troops and police were severely criticized all over.

The Sunday's protest rally was the continuation of a peaceful demonstration on Friday. Called “Friday of One Demand,” it saw the largest turnout since the 18-day revolt that resulted in the eviction of Hosni Mubarak, February this year. Demonstrators claimed that the protest is the result of growing discontent on present military government in Egypt, especially over their shameful attempt to grant Supreme Council of Armed Forces (SCAF) with special power. Egyptians are concerned that the strong hold that the present military government wants to enjoy through SCAF in future government could influence major policy decisions.

Right now, Cairo is looking forward to their upcoming elections starting from November 28th, 2011. Hopefully, things should work out well for Egypt under a civilian government.