Hurdles for Egyptian election candidates

CAIRO: As Egypt prepares for the beginning of presidential elections in late March, incumbent President Abdel-Fattah el-Sisi has announced he will stand for re-election but challengers to his throne, where he is seen as the strongest candidate, are facing unforeseen obstacles.

The last challenger seen as a potential threat to Sisi’s re-election abruptly ended his campaign on Tuesday after the army accused him of violating military law by running for office without permission.

Former military chief of staff Lieutenant-General Sami Anan was reported to have been detained for questioning after the military declared in a statement that his decision to run had been rejected. Egyptian law requires former army officials to end their service and receive permission from the military before they can run for political office.

The army statement said Anan’s presidential bid amounted to “blatant legal violations and a serious breach of the laws of military service”, adding his candidacy had failed to obtain permission from the armed forces or take the necessary steps to terminate his service. Campaign organisers subsequently stated Anan’s bid had been called off, although they gave no details as to his whereabouts while the military refused to confirm his detention. According to media reports as Anan drove to his office, he was stopped by armed military police in Cairo.

Other challengers have also dropped by the way side.

Former prime minister and air force chief, Ahmed Shafik, gave up on his attempt at the presidency last month amid media reports that he was being detained in Cairo. –