The Free Egyptians Party on Tuesday said the results of the first round of the presidential poll does not achieve the ambitions of Egyptians wishing to build a modern civil state free of religious and military tyranny.
The statement said the fact that a candidate from the Muslim Brotherhood and another from the former Mubarak regime would proceed to the runoff does not suit the level of sacrifice made by Egyptians during the 25 January revolution.
It added that the result threatens to marginalize the revolutionary camp and aid the return of former oppressive policies against the current supporting a civil state, which rejects the marriage between power and wealth and the abuse of religion to serve political ends.
The party warned against what it described as attempts to force “a new form of fascism in the name of divine rule,” or to abuse “the people’s need for stability and security.”
It also expressed concerns that a certain current would hegemonize positions of power, turning the state into a religious one. It expressed worry over attempts to militarize Egyptian political life and reproduce the Mubarak regime with all its suppressive practices.
The party pledged to continue its struggle and coordination with other civil powers to achieve the goals of the revolution, protect the democratic gains of Egyptians, hold free elections, provide guarantees for expatriate Egyptians to vote, and update voter lists.
The statement warned of “a conspiracy against the new constitution,” saying the process of writing the constitution is more complicated than the presidential election and called for the formation of “a balanced Constituent Assembly” that represents all factions.
The party urged voters to listen to the voice of their conscience when voting to enable Egypt to progress, and emphasized that it will continue its struggle against all forms of political corruption and intellectual and religious intimidation.
Edited translation from Al-Masry Al-Youm
