Abdel Ghaffar Shokr, president of the Socialist Popular Alliance Party and deputy chairman of the National Council for Human Rights, said in an interview with Al-Masry Al-Youm that the electoral system would produce a parliament loyal to the regime.
He also said that the Salafi Nour Party was subjected to a systematic campaign of defamation, and that the For the Love of Egypt electoral list was portrayed as the list of the regime.
Q: How would you assess the first round of the elections?
A: The electoral system has corrupted the elections by the so-called “Absolute Electoral Lists”. It is known that the system for individual runners gives the opportunity for those who have money and influence to win. Also, the Salafi Nour Party and the Islamic trend in general were subjected to a systematic campaign of defamation.
Parliament will be loyal to the regime. There may be 20 deputies or so who would constitute an opposition, but do not forget that Parliament was dissolved in 1976 when the opposition voted against the Camp David Agreement.
Q: Why was there a low turnout?
A: People were disappointed when the elections were postponed several times. Also, a constituency may have three or four representatives, which is quite confusing. Add to this that the young generation is boycotting the elections because it is against the Protest Law, under which many young activists were arrested.
Q: Some say people are satisfied with the president and do not believe a parliament is necessary. Is this true?
A: This is what the president’s supporters claim after their candidates failed to attract voters.
Q: Do you think the For the Love of Egypt list is the list of the regime?
A: It was portrayed as such.
Q: Why did the leftists and nationalists fail?
A: The leftists have failed because they are divided into more than one political party and organization. Also, they do not have sufficient funds. Add to this that they are more interested in ideology, which is not in line with the individual runner system that concentrates more on services.
Q: Do you expect that Parliament could be dissolved?
A: I do not wish so. It should be given a chance.
Q: Do you think the turnout will be more in the second round?
A: It will not exceed 25 percent.
Edited translation from Al-Masry Al-Youm
