Al-Ahram Weekly Archives
Published in Cairo by AL-AHRAM established in 1875

Elections 2000
Parliament 2000	Issue No. 509 23 - 29 November 2000
Rank-and-file dissenters The new People's Assembly is due to convene. Gamal Essam El-Din reports that it will contain many more opposition voices than was previously the case Dreaming of better times Following the poor electoral performance of the legal opposition parties, Omayma Abdel-Latif asks whether political reform may be their only salvation Watch this space The outlawed Muslim Brotherhood has emerged as the largest opposition bloc in the new People's Assembly. Amira Howeidy assesses its chances of having a significant impact on domestic politics The meaning of success Amina Elbendary follows the trail of the female candidates who won parliamentary seats
Elections 2000: Final stage		Issue No. 508 15 - 22 November 2000
The new equation Parliamentary elections have ended amid violence, with the NDP winning a majority, but losing an unprecedented number of seats. Gamal Essam El-Din reports Rough riding in round three With opposition candidates complaining of police harassment, the final round of parliamentary elections took place on Tuesday. It was marred by violence that claimed five lives and injured tens of people Legal nuances Elections held last week in nine constituencies were annulled. Gamal Essam El-Din reflects on the implications Registering the aftershocks Amira Howeidy reviews a report issued by the EOHR on the elections The demise of politics? Intellectuals, speaking to Omayma Abdel-Latif, seek the reason behind the use of the sectarian card against Coptic candidates Election or selection Nadia Abou-El Magd reports on the day of Shubra's Technical Institite run-off vote Necessary precautions Providence gave way to fear and hostility in bouts of violence and frustration as voters went to the polls again last week, reports Khaled Dawoud Capitalising on the clampdown Despite more arrests in Muslim Brotherhood ranks on the eve of the final run-offs the outlawed group did its best to make the most of its lot, writes Amira Howeidy
Elections 2000: Stage Three - First round		Issue No. 507 9 -15 November 2000
A farewell to apathy Ballot fever was high as parliamentary elections entered their third and final stage. Largely smooth, the ballot witnessed scattered incidents of violence Softening the blow In Saturday's run-offs, the ruling party was dealt yet another blow while the Muslim Brotherhood continued its astonishing run. Gamal Essam El-Din reports A new page for the Brotherhood? The Muslim Brotherhood has significantly improved its parliamentary representation during the latest elections. Omayma Abdel-Latif wonders if the outlawed group's support at the ballot box will lead to a less hostile relationship with the government Urgent matters Judges did more this election than supervise the polling. Khaled Dawoud surveys the campaign battles fought before the courts The third stage parliamentary elections 2000 began yesterday. Al-Ahram Weekly reporters try to capture the pre-polling mood in some of the hotter constituencies involved as the election's approach the final stage What the doctor ordered Minister of Economy Youssef Boutros Ghali may be top-dog in the big city, but a quiet doctor may hold onto his seat as a man of the people in the district of Al-Ma'had Al-Fani, writes Shaden Shehab Carrots and sticks The Doqqi-Agouza constituency is a world of extremes and contradictions. It is also the scene of an intense election battle between the ruling NDP and the outlawed Muslim Brotherhood. Omayma Abdel-Latif observes Cairo's hottest election battle Speaker signs His face adorns the streets of the working class neighbourhood he is running in. Mona El-Nahhas reports on the veteran House Speaker's bid for reelection In the heart of the city In Zamalek, the elections are evidenced by glossy signs bearing the smiling faces of candidates, while in downtown Cairo the streets buzz with talk of candidates and parties. Nadia Abou El-Magd follows the election trail in two central Cairo constituencies The politician versus the businessman A no-holds-barred battle for the professionals' seat in the Azbakiya and Al-Dhaher constituency has captured the attention of the nation. Gamal Essam El-Din witnesses the candidates' manoeuvres Turning the tables Disgruntled residents of Cairo's poorer districts get their chance to vote out unfulfilled promises and make a few demands of their own, reports Amira Ibrahim Big families left, right and centre The surface tranquillity of the Qalyubiya constituency of Kafr Shukr belies the fierce election campaign that has been taking place there, reports Rehab Saad Finding an MP -- when you need him In Imbaba, formerly a stronghold of Al-Gama'a Al-Islamiya, Dena Rashed found a preference for a local man capable of providing better services to the impoverished community Tribal labour Families, money, football and violence -- Al-Ahram Weekly finds the stuff of prime-time drama in parliamentary elections in Helwan The silent 50 per cent Every constituency has two seats, one at least of which, is reserved for workers and/or peasants; or are they? Fatemah Farag investigates the limits of '60s-style "affirmative action" Man of the people Hada'iq Al-Qubba constituents seemed sure of who they want for the "workers'" seat. They were much less certain about their "professional" representative, reports Soha Abdelaty Opinion: Democratic milestones Two down, one to go. Ibrahim Nafie finds much encouragement in the conduct of elections so far Tribes on the move By Hani Shukrallah But where is politics? Mohamed El-Sayed Said considers the meanings of apathy

Elections 2000: Stage Two

Issue No. 506 2 - 8 November 2000

Ruling party 'out of touch' Unprecedented losses in the ongoing parliamentary elections are raising question marks about the NDP's future, writes Gamal Essam El-Din Another bad day at the office Al-Jazira, the controversial Qatari satellite news channel, was once again under Egyptian media fire. Nadia Abou El-Magd reports Against the odds How did the outlawed Muslim Brotherhood manage to defy the odds stacked against them and achieve remarkable electoral gains? Omayma Abdel-Latif presses for answers Electioneering's new face What's new in campaign advertising in this year's parliamentary elections? Tarek Atia broaches some of the rumours surrounding the money spent by candidates on their ad campaigns and examines some of the new methods of self-promotion Communities in contest Tribal tensions and cultural ties set the stage for pitched battles among constituencies in the Upper Egyptian governorate of Aswan, reports Amira Ibrahim Nasserist-NDP run-off IN THE Nile Delta governorate of Kafr Al-Sheikh, security was tight near polling stations, reports Mona El-Nahhas. Brotherhood ahead CONTINUING their good showing, candidates of the outlawed Muslim Brotherhood, running as independents, achieved decent results in the Nile Delta province of Gharbiya, reports Gamal Essam El-Din. Kinship rules SUNDAY'S election day in the Nile Delta governorate of Daqahliya was a day for expressing kinship loyalty, reports Soha Abdelaty Dead men don't vote The Interior Ministry removed some 250,000 invalid names from voters lists -- mostly deceased and emigrants. But, as Khaled Dawoud discovers after touring polling stations in Sharqiya governorate, the ballot process still has some glitches

Elections 2000: Stage One	Issue No. 505 26 Oct. - 1 Nov. 2000
Tougher times for the NDP  Although the ruling party is assured of eventual victory, it has lost a significant number of seats in the first stage of parliamentary elections. Gamal Essam El-Din evaluates the results Election surprises defy pundits  Unlike last Tuesday's run-off elections, which witnessed sporadic violence, the first round went smoothly. Amira Howeidy explains who won and lost Second act, same drama The first stage of parliamentary elections proved to be an uphill battle for the ruling NDP. The second stage promises more of the same, predicts Gamal Essam El-Din
	Issue No. 504 19 - 25 October 2000
Competition and apathy If judicial supervision meant all ran smoothly inside polling stations, irregularities continued to be reported outside Alexandria (Sidi Gaber and Al-Raml):Poll tough on Islamists Islamist candidates competing for seats in several Alexandria constituencies were having a rough time on election day, writes Amira Howeidy Alexandria -- (other constituencies): Little chance for women The elections in Alexandria were a subdued affair, writes Gamal Essam El-Din, notwithstanding the presence of security forces at the 11 main polling stations Menounfiya: Services and jobs take the vote In the town of Bagour, 55km north of Cairo, there is hardly any competition facing Cabinet Minister and Deputy Secretary-General of the ruling National Democratic Party (NDP) Kamal El-Shazli, writes Khaled Dawoud Port Said: Seaside passion The election atmosphere in Port Said was markedly different from what it was in the past, writes Mona El-Nahhas Fayoum: A foregone conclusion Voters stand in rows scrutinising the judge who has come to supervise the elections, writes Soha Abdelaty

Pre-election coverage

Issues No. 487 - 504 June - October 20000

Ladies of the house 19 - 25 October 2000 The National Council for Women is backing women candidates from across the political spectrum. A paradox? Not according to its Secretary-General Mervat Tellawi A voice of their own 19 - 25 October 2000 The elections may herald a new era of political participation, but what about the role of women? Amina Elbendary looks at whether the times really are changing and, below, speaks to National Council for Women Secretary General Mervat Tellawi On the Coptic campaign trail 19 - 25 October 2000 Coptic candidates are campaigning both as independents and under the banner of a wide range of political parties. As Omayma Abdel-Latif shows, they are appealing to the broadest possible constituency It begins 19 - 25 October 2000 In the first stage of parliamentary elections, the ruling NDP is assured of victory. However, fierce individual battles raged in many constituencies. Gamal Essam El-Din wraps up the scene at the polls The scramble begins 12 - 18 October 2000 Next week's scramble for parliamentary representation will pit brother against brother. Gamal Essam El-Din reviews the battle formations Campaigning dot com 12-18 October 2000 Traditionally, cloth banners have lined the streets during elections. Amina Elbendary peruses a new campaign venue: cyberspace A running clampdown 12 - 18 October 2000 The detention of large numbers of suspected members of the outlawed Muslim Brotherhood is part of a continuing confrontation, a security source tells Jailan Halawi Independents rule the poll 5 - 11 October 2000 Who's running? Gamal Essam El-Din sums up the electoral scene Defining full supervision 28 Sep. - 4 Oct. 2000 Judges, entrusted with fully supervising forthcoming parliamentary elections, tell Omayma Abdel-Latif they are intent on testing the scope of their mandate Election fever 28 Sep. - 4 Oct. 2000 The battle lines of the coming parliamentary elections are being drawn, reports Gamal Essam El-Din, with a record number of candidates standing NGO case un-closed 28 Sep.-4 Oct.. 2000 State prosecutors are readying to throw the book at leading NGO figure Saadeddin Ibrahim and his associates, but defenders maintain the charges hardly come with national interest in mind, reports Jailan Halawi Last call  21 - 27 September 2000 As parliamentary hopefuls march down to the Interior Ministry to register their candidacies, squabbling continues over who should run the show, reports Gamal Essam El-Din As smoothly as possible 14 - 20 September 2000 Election season is upon us, with political parties making ready for the nationwide ballot, to be spaced in three stages and held under full judicial supervision for the first time, report Jailan Halawi and Nevine Khalil New support for women 7 - 13 September 2000 The National Council for Women, hoping for an improved female performance in the coming parliamentary elections, has pledged its support for all female candidates, reports Reem Leila Parliament with a difference? 31 August - 6 September 2000 As the countdown begins for parliamentary elections, Omayma Abdel-Latif reports on a new breed of candidate which could change the face of the country's legislature Brothers forward a new image, and a sister 31 August - 6 September 2000 The outlawed Muslim Brotherhood has released its list of candidates for the upcoming parliamentary elections in Alexandria. The ticket's composition is a message of its own, writes Amira Howeidy Running against time 24 - 30 August 2000 With the starting date for phased parliamentary elections brought forward from November to mid-October, the state must race against time to prepare for the poll. Gamal Essam El-Din reports In the judges' court 17 - 23 August 2000 Entrusted with the unprecedented role of being in full control of the electoral process, judges are being coached on how to safeguard the full and effective exercise of the right to vote. Omayma Abdel-Latif reports Who's to judge 10 - 16 August 2000 Recent legislation has ensured full judicial supervision of parliamentary elections. The question now is to define who is a judge. Gamal Essam El-Din reports Campaigning carefully 10 - 16 August 2000 The illegal Muslim Brotherhood will participate in November's parliamentary elections. But its candidates, as Amira Howeidy finds out, will run individually, and not as a group Waiting on the facts 10 - 16 August 2000 A prominent NGO figure remains in custody, but whether he will be formally charged is any body's guess. Jailan Halawi reports Counting on the courts 3 - 9 August 2000 In the political as in the business sphere, the judiciary been making increasingly resonant waves. Are two of the three arms of government at logger-heads? Gamal Essam El-Din investigates A few good men 27 July - 2 August 2000 Hot on the heels of last week's legislative amendments placing parliamentary elections under full judicial supervision, the ruling party must deal with a list of 'honest' candidates in the November ballot. Gamal Essam El-Din sifts through A new page is turned 20 - 26 July 2000 In extraordinary sessions, the People's Assembly and Shura Council unanimously approved a presidential decree modifying the regulation of parliamentary elections. Gamal Essam El-Din reports Closer to democracy 20 - 26 July 2000 Placing parliamentary elections under full judicial supervision may have significant implications for the nation's political future. Gamal Essam El-Din explores what the next four months may have in store Corrupt MPs booted out 20 - 26 July 2000 IN AN EXTRA-ORDINARY session on Sunday, the People's Assembly decided to expel four National Democratic Party (NDP) deputies from parliament. Last month, the four, dubbed "the loan deputies" by the local press, were convicted by the Supreme State Security Court of misappropriating bank funds worth more than LE1 billion. Missing the point 20 - 26 July 2000 The government's handling of a remarkable Supreme Constitutional Court ruling on Parliamentary elections has elicited a range of reactions from the judiciary A power above all 20 - 26 July 2000 The Supreme Constitutional Court is regarded as the fortress of justice. Shaden Shehab interviews its former chairman and leafs through the pages of the court's history The road to reform 20 - 26 July 2000 Opposition representatives, speaking to Nadia Abou El-Magd, believe the amendments to the election law are merely the first steps on a long road Off the books 20 - 26 July 2000 The 1995 parliamentary elections saw the first-ever experience of election monitoring in Egypt. It may have been the last, writes Amira Howeidy Piling up the charges 20 - 26 July 2000 On the authority of a 1992 military decree, as well as Penal Code provisions, NGO figure Saadeddin Ibrahim and several of his associates remain in custody, report Jailan Halawi and Mariz Tadros Pillars of Justice 13 - 19 July 2000 In a radical departure from the traditional architectural style of most government buildings, the Supreme Constitutional Court dominates its surroundings on the east bank of Nile Making history at the Supreme Court 13-19 July 2000 The Supreme Constitutional Court's landmark ruling -- that judges should have full authority to oversee parliamentary elections -- may prove a turning point in the nation's political history. Gamal Essam El-Din analyses the ramifications Tempered jubilation 13-19 July 2000 The court's ruling was welcomed by opposition parties although they remain wary of the government's response. Nadia Abou El-Magd reports The judges are coming 13 - 19 July 2000 Omayma Abdel-Latif gauges the reaction of the judges The burden of proof 13 - 19 July 2000 As prosecutors gather evidence against jailed NGO figure Saadeddin Ibrahim, Jailan Halawi and Mariz Tadros report on the implications regarding civil freedoms Corruption stigma haunts NDP 6 - 12 July 2000 Corrupt ruling party MPs, and their business confederates, had the book thrown at them at the conclusion of the so-called "loan deputies case" last week. Can the NDP wipe the stain? Gamal Essam El-Din investigates Prominent NGO figure arrested 6 - 12 July 2000 Does the state object to the foreign funding of civil society organisations in principle, or merely to the mishandling of these funds? One of many questions raised by the arrest, this week, of Saadeddin Ibrahim, a prominent sociologist and NGO figure. Mariz Tadros and Jailan Halawi report Playing hard ball with the Brotherhood 29 June - 5 July 2000 Next month the Supreme Military Court will hand down sentences on 20 leading figures of the outlawed Muslim Brotherhood. Khaled Dawoud reports on the longest military trial of the last eight years Scramble over the NDP ticket 22 - 28 June 2000 The contest over inclusion on the NDP ticket in November's parliamentary elections promises to be even fiercer this time round than it did in the 1995 poll, reveals Gamal Essam El-Din

Profiles of the nation's political parties and forces:	From the archives:
National Democratic Party Tagammu Party Wafd Party Muslim Brotherhood Labour Party Islamist groups The Nasserist Party	Elections 1995

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