Independent papers follow closely MB issues

Independent papers follow closely MB issues

With elections approaching independent newspapers are primarily interested in bringing across the facts relaying Egypt ‘s electoral atmosphere with the standoff between the NDP and the Muslim Brotherhood occupying the lion’s share in the privately-owned press. A story in Al-Shorouk’s newspaper cites official sources who chose to remain anonymous asserting that a presidential decree is expected to be issued in the very near future. According to the privately-owned daily Mufid Shehab, Minister for Legal and Parliamentary affairs, has stated that the government last week endorsed a number of amendments dealing primarily with assigning a quota including 64 seats for women in the upcoming parliamentary elections. The amendments were later referred to President Mubarak.

 

The new bill however notably ignores demands made by the opposition, including the strict recording of voters’ identities to avoid vote rigging, granting the right to Egyptians living abroad to vote, and other demands on the grounds that not all suggested ideas should be implemented right away.

Al-Dostour paper has also mentioned Shehab highlighting a clash between a leader of the ruling National Democratic Party and activists belonging to the Muslim Brotherhood. The paper has also shed light on a story including MB students calling for international monitoring of ongoing student union elections. The group was cited as describing the discrimination exercised against their members on university campuses as a prelude to possible constraints the MB will face during the parliamentary race.

Facebook activists have also been concerned about a rumor that the government will block the social networking site during the elections. Rose el Yousef however played down any intention by the regime to interfere with Facebook ascertaining that such an act is not easy to do and requires technical measures that are as yet unavailable. 

Al-Shorouq has reported. Abdel Monem Abdel Maqsoud, the MB’s top lawyer, stating in a press release that the wave of arrests against MB leaders, supporters and candidates aims to intimidate the group ahead of the elections. The paper published that the police have arrested 154 MB and raided 88 companies belonging to the group since last week when it nation’s announced that it would run for parliament