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The Egyptian Presidential Election: Progress toward Democracy?
There is broad agreement that Egypt 's September 7 presidential election provided an opportunity for democratic change that would have an important influence throughout the Middle East . Whether or not it signifies real progress toward democracy has generated debate. Herewith is a sample of some recent comments:
The Washington Post, in their Sept. 9, 2005 editorial entitled, “ Egypt 's Unfree Vote,” was highly critical of Egypt 's presidential election. The editorial lamented the fact that even though President Mubarak was assured a win, there were obvious voting irregularities, international observers were barred from monitoring the polls (Egyptian NGO's were denied access until 10 am the day of the election), and the votes were to be tallied by Mubarak's “handpicked nominees.” Keeping that in mind, the Washington Post implored the Bush administration to pressure Egypt to make sure that this fall's parliamentary elections are held to a higher standard. The editors pushed for further election reforms, including proportional representation and the inclusion of the opposition in the political process through “granting the pending registration of the Center Party.” Even if the fall elections are fair (and certified so by international and domestic observers), the Post notes, Egypt will not be a democracy, but it will signify progress in Egypt 's promise to make democratic reforms.
In their September 11, 2005 editorial, the New York Times stated that despite the progress in putting opposition names on the ballot, “the election was an elaborate and largely meaningless sham.” The board called for “real” democracy, which they said entailed the ruling party not controlling the characteristics of the election, the opposition having a level playing field, and allowing outside observers to freely monitor the election.
The international press also made its opinion known: The BBC reported that turnout was estimated at being only 23% -- a sign that voters were either apathetic or thought that their votes would not ultimately matter. They noted that in the Arab world's reaction to the election was “more muted…reflecting a deep reservoir of caution about change.” The editorial board of the UK 's Daily Telegraph was also highly critical of the election and looked to the November elections as well for evidence of reform. The Daily Star, out of Lebanon, called the election “a degree of change that was simultaneously deeply constricted, controlled and flawed.” They called for Egypt to make more than incremental steps toward “truly free and fair elections” in the future.
In a September 10, 2005 press release, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice used measured terms to suggest that progress was taking place. She wrote of “freer debate, increased transparency, and improved access to the media.” She also clearly stated that she was pleased that universal suffrage was allowed “without limitations on gender and ethnicity.” The majority of her statement focused on further reform, specifying that confidence building measures be taken so as to “increase the voice of the people and their confidence in the democratic process.” Rice identified the increased presence of election monitors, equal access to media for candidates, and the codification and implementation of internationally accepted electoral practices as steps that could be taken to build public confidence.
In an interview published with the New York Times, former US Ambassador to Egypt, Frank G. Wisner (1986-1991), was somewhat optimistic about the election. Acknowledging that Mubarak was assured a win, Wisner noted the importance of the election, saying, “It is, nonetheless, a major development first and foremost for Egyptians and the emerging political class, which will draw many lessons from this day on how the election was conducted.” Downplaying the debate over the fairness of the elections, Ambassador Wisner preferred to focus on the fact that an election had taken place. “A page was turned. An important first step was taken,” he said. Wisner noted that even though election monitors were not allowed until the day of the election, that there is now precedent for their presence at November's elections. Like the Washington Post, Wisner also noted that the fall parliamentary elections would be a benchmark in observing the progress of Egypt 's democratic transition. Commenting on the US 's role in promoting democracy in Egypt, Wisner said:
My own view is that we have played a helpful role in encouraging the move to democracy. But we are not well-advised to hector. This is a time to let Egyptians, who've got the bit in their teeth for the first time, to score their own goals and to nudge things forward quietly and through diplomatic channels. There'll be many opportunities in the years ahead for the United States to create a dialogue with political parties, with candidates, with the judiciary, with the press to strengthen the institutions of democratic process.
The above summary is drawn from the following sources:
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