Real Estate Authority Refuses to Issue Powers of Attorney for Zahran… Omar Ready for Presidency… National Authority Bans Funding
“Real Estate Authority” Refuses to Issue Powers of Attorney for Zahran
Mona Shemakh, the Media Secretary for the Egyptian Democratic Party led by potential presidential candidate Farid Zahran, stated that the party has observed several restrictions in issuing powers of attorney for the party’s candidate. Shemakh told “Zawia3” that “Real Estate Authority employees only allow powers of attorney for President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi,” clarifying that “this happens across all governorates.”
Shemakh mentioned that parliamentarian and Deputy Head of the Egyptian Democratic Socialist Party, “Fridi Al-Bayadi,” submitted a parliamentary question to both the Prime Minister and the Minister of Justice. The question obtained by “Zawia3” stated, “We have received numerous complaints from citizens in different parts of the country who attempted to issue powers of attorney for their candidate Farid Zahran or other candidates. However, they were surprised to find that the employees refused to issue any powers of attorney for candidates other than the current president.” Al-Bayadi said, “Real Estate Authority employees provided weak excuses, and the complainants mentioned that at the same time, the same employees issued powers of attorney for the current president.” The parliamentarian asked, “Does the government aspire, as we do, for the upcoming Egyptian presidential elections to be a significant step towards building a democratic path?” The Deputy Head of Deputies warned in his question addressed to the Prime Minister and the Minister of Justice “against squandering what these elections represent—a chance to revive the political field and rekindle hope that a safe and peaceful path to change is possible, capable of saving the country from its current crisis,” according to his expression.
Gameela Ismail Confident in the Constitution’s Ability to Collect Powers of Attorney
Potential presidential candidate Gameela Ismail stated that she has confidence in her ability to fulfill the procedures for her candidacy, especially regarding the collection of powers of attorney or parliamentary endorsements.
Ismail added, “The Constitution Party was founded with thousands of powers of attorney and has more than 20,000 powers of attorney from founding members. We will return to them, contact the founders, and collect their powers of attorney.” Ismail clarified that “her campaign is aimed at the female segment, representing half of society.”
Tantawi Does Not Halt the Collection of Powers of Attorney
Attempts to issue powers of attorney for Ahmed Tantawi have not ceased, according to Ahmed Abdeen, the political advisor to Tantawi’s campaign. This is despite the campaign’s announcement of a 48-hour freeze after Tantawi’s supporters faced harassment and assaults in the “Real Estate Authority” offices in several Egyptian governorates. Abdeen told “Zawia3”: “Some of the campaign’s supporters inside and outside Egypt have succeeded in issuing powers of attorney.” Abdeen confirmed that “those who attempted to issue powers of attorney were treated well this time and were not harmed.”
Hazem Omar Ready for the Presidency
Parliament member Mohamed Salah Abu Hamaila, head of the parliamentary body of the People’s Republican Party in the House of Representatives, reported that 25 parliamentarians signed today, Thursday, September 28, to endorse Hazem Omar, the party’s president, for the presidency. Abu Hamaila considered that one of the reasons for their support for Hazem Omar as president is that “the party has supported the state since 2014,” adding that the party “tries, under the constitution, to prove that there is democracy and a rotation of power.” Abu Hamaila continued: “We put forth a presidential candidate because we have built a popular base that supports our candidate.”
National Authority Bans Funding
The National Authority for Elections banned presidential candidates from receiving monetary or in-kind support for the election campaign from any individual, Egyptian or foreign, or from any state, foreign entity, or international organization, or any entity whose capital is contributed by a foreigner.
The candidate is required to submit a statement to the authority within fifteen days from the date of announcing the election results, including the total amounts received, their source, nature, and how they were spent on the election campaign.