NDP Prepares for Presidential Elections Amid Muslim Brotherhood Crackdown

NDP Prepares for Presidential Elections Amid Muslim Brotherhood Crackdown

The political office of the ruling National Democratic Party (NDP ) in Egypt is preparing to hold a meeting to discuss nominating a presidential election nominee for the presidential elections due to be held in late 2011. The party is expected to offer names on governorate -wide primaries to name a nominee according to regulations
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NDP sources said that following the  forming of NDP governorate-wide administrative offices in the up-coming elections in July, a wide-scale party forum is expected to be formed to include senior and fresh members. Meetings are expected to be held with parliamentary blocs before starting primaries to choose a presidential candidate according to the party”s bylaw. This coincides with intense contacts and consultations across state institutions  discussing Egypt “s political future as president Hosni Mubarak may not run for re-election.
 
According to observers, NDP leaders and influential state figures are reportedly backing Gamal Mubarak, son of incumbent president and secretary of the party”s policies committee, for president if elected in the primaries by a majority of the 2900000 member party.
 
It is worth noting that most real opposition powers in Egypt especially the Muslim Brotherhood have repeatedly opposed the idea of hereditary transfer of rule from President Mubarak, in office since 1981, to his son Gamal.
 
These NDP preparations  come as the Egyptian regime is carrying out repeated crackdowns on Muslim Brotherhood leaders and key figures, the latest of which was the June 28th crackdown that included the arresting of Dr Abdul Monim Abul-Futouh, a member of the Muslim Brotherhood Executive Office and the Secretary General of the Arab Doctors” Union and Dr. Gamal Abdul Salam of the Egyptian Doctors” Union along with other prominent Brotherhood figures.