A socialist party is mulling the boycott of the upcoming parliamentary elections in March over the death of one of its members, presumably by police gunfire, on the eve of the fourth anniversary of the 2011 uprising.
Acting chairman of the Socialist Popular Alliance Party, Medhat al-Zahed, has said that his party and other allies are mulling a boycott of the elections slated for the period 22 March-7 May should the state fail to investigate the death of Shaimaa al-Sabbagh, a party member who was shot dead during a symbolic march in Downtown Cairo on Saturday confronted by security.
Representatives of the Democratic Current will meet Monday to discuss their position on the upcoming elections in light of the violent security crackdown on protests during the uprising’s anniversary that led to Sabbagh’s death, Zahed told al-Bedaiah news website.
The Democratic Current comprises the liberal parties of Karama, Dostour, the Popular Current Freedom Egypt and al-Adl.
Zahed said attendants to the meeting will demand “a transparent investigation into the death of activist Shaimaa al-Sabbagh,” adding that the parties will discuss the possibility of “suspending” their participation in elections “until the state and the Interior Ministry declare a commitment to protect the right of life and public freedom.”
