A number of Egyptian political figures on Sunday issued a statement condemning the upcoming presidential elections, saying that they have lost their legitimacy following recent repressive practices imposed by the government. The statement condemned “the confiscation of the right of Egyptians to free presidential elections.”The statement called for canceling the presidential elections altogether and to stop the work of the National Elections Authority and to dissolve its board. They also called on people to boycott the elections and not to recognize their outcome. The figures also expressed concern over potential plans by the government to modify the constitution to make the time a president serves be limitless, which would eliminate any opportunity for peaceful handovers of power. The signatories denounced what they considered security and administrative practices taken by the regime to prevent any fair competition in the upcoming presidential elections, and said that the latest was the attack on the judge Hisham Geneina.

Source: Egypt Independent January 29, 2018 09:45 UTC