Egyptian presidential election, 2005

The Egyptian presidential election of 2005, held on September 7, 2005, was the first contested presidential election in Egypt's history. Hosni Mubarak, the incumbent President of Egypt, won a fifth consecutive six-year term in office, with official results showing he won 88.6% of the votes cast. http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20050909/wl_nm/egypt_elections_dc A prominent opposition candidate, Ayman Nour of the Tomorrow Party, is estimated to have received 12% of the vote and Numan Gumaa received 5-7%. Criticism of the election process has centred on the process of selecting the eligible candidates, and on alleged election-law violations during voting. Mubarak was sworn in for his new term on September 27.

Criticisms of the 2005 Presidential Election Arrangements

Some of the main legal opposition parties, including the leftist Tagammu Party and the Nasserist Party, boycotted the election, saying it is unlikely to be free or fair. Those opposing the election say the electoral reforms have not gone far enough because the election regulations severely restrict independent candidates and overwhelmingly favour the NDP.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Secondly, the Muslim Brotherhood, believed to be the most popular opposition group in Egypt, was excluded from running in the elections because Mubarak's government has made it officially illegal and barred from major political processes. Supporters of the Brotherhood and other opposition parties state that this undermines the credibility of the election.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

However, the New Wafd Party and the Tomorrow (Ghad) Party contested the election even though they had opposed the May 2005 constitutional referendum, and their respective candidates, Numan Gumaa and Ayman Nour, drew significant support -- Nour won 12% and Gumaa won 5-7%.

Related Topics:
New Wafd Party - Tomorrow (Ghad) Party - May 2005 - Numan Gumaa - Ayman Nour

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~