Popular singer Saad al-Soghayar has told supporters he will submit his application to run for president on Thursday after completing his nomination papers.
Soghayar spoke outside the Presidential Elections Commission on Tuesday, where he entered to inquire about the process of applying for the presidency. He was accompanied by his bodyguards, a group of supporters and his band.
Before entering the building, the popular singer said he already had 55,000 citizens’ signatures — 30,000 are required to run — in his car. Upon exiting later on, he said his forms were incomplete and that he would finish them in 48 hours.
Soghayar also said he is willing to hold a press conference to explain the circumstances that led him to make his decision. He added that he will be “candidate of the poor” and that addressing Egypt’s healthcare system will be at the top of his priorities.
He warned others not to underestimate him as a presidential hopeful.
“I didn’t know how to sing,” he told Al-Masry Al-Youm. “May God help me in the presidential election.”
Arguments broke out between Soghayar’s supporters and citizens opposing his nomination, who said they considered his candidacy as downplaying the importance of the presidency.
Translated from Al-Masry Al-Youm
