Ishaq leads a new charge against the government. -BM

CAIRO: Unusual bedfellows have joined together in signing the foundation statement for the establishment of a new movement, called “Egyptians Against Election Fraud.” The aim of the new independent movement is to continue to put pressure on the ruling National Democratic Party’s apparent disregard for election oversight ahead of the 2010 Parliamentary elections and the 2011 presidential vote in Egypt.

The Muslim Brotherhood and Kefaya (Enough) are spearheading the call to action, which saw nearly 100 political activists and Members of Parliament come together last week to make the new movement public. George Ishaq, a leading Kefaya member, said that the efforts to bridge political divides “is working” and that he hopes the new movement “will put pressure on the regime to ensure a free vote.”

In the statement, the activists and politicians called on the international community to supervise and monitor the upcoming electoral votes.

In 2005, during both the presidential and Parliamentary votes, reports of voter fraud were rampant. Two leading judges spoke out against the fraudulent elections in early 2006, which led to Egypt’s most concerted effort to demand change. Large protests in downtown Cairo were met by government violence and pushed the Kefaya movement – which had been gaining much steam – to the sidelines. Now, they are attempting to make a comeback.

“We need a new constitution,” began Ishaq, “but if we can’t have that, then we will demand that the country have free and fair elections. In order to have this, international observers are needed.”

Ishaq stressed that the establishment of the movement aims at a general atmosphere of transparency and integrity in the Parliamentary and presidential elections over the next two years and the role of “Egyptians Against Election Fraud” is to raise awareness of all Egyptians “entitlement to vote and protect them from the government’s practices.”

While not all opposition groups have joined together, the Muslim Brotherhood has joined, albeit not as an official organization. Members such as Saad Katatni, the head of the group’s Parliamentary bloc, said he believes it will help to create a new Egypt “where all people have a say in their future.”

Joining Katatni and Kefaya are a number of other influential politicians, including Mahmoud Khudairia and Yahya al-Jamal as well as Members of Parliament Gamal Zahran and Saad Aboud.

It is Egypt’s first organized and public effort to ensure honesty in the upcoming votes, which most analysts believe will see the rise of the NDP and President Mubarak’s son, Gamal, as the next president.

The movement is to hold a symposium on October 10 at the press syndicate to announce it plan of action ahead of next year’s vote. Khudairi is expected to discuss the first activities for the movement.

**additional reporting by Mohamed Abdel Salam

BM