Egyptian Prime Minister Urges Calm Before Elections

Egyptian voters line up at the polls in large numbers. Islamists have won the majority of the vote while capital pressures the country., a photo by Pan-African News Wire File Photos on Flickr.

Egyptian prime minister urges calm, respect for election result

Tue May 22, 2012 9:48AM GMT
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Egyptian Prime Minister Kamal al-Ganzouri has called on Egyptian people and political parties to stay calm on the election days and accept the results of the polls.

In a statement released on Tuesday, one day ahead of Egypt’s presidential election, al-Ganzouri urged the Egyptian nation to "stand together to ensure the success of the electoral process and to accept the decision of the majority of Egyptians who will express their will through the ballot boxes."

He further called on "candidates, political forces, [and] parties to urge their supporters to respect the will of others and accept the results of the election."

The Egyptian people are set to cast their ballots in the country’s first presidential election since the ouster of Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak in February 2011 on May 23 and 24.

The Muslim Brotherhood candidate Mohammed Mursi managed to win the majority of the overseas ballots on Monday, security 40 percent of the votes.

He earlier warned against vote rigging and interference in the presidential elections, saying any attempt to tamper with the presidential poll will face popular anger.

The Egyptian High Presidential Election Commission (HPEC) has vowed new security measures and a transparent voting atmosphere.

However, the majority of the Egyptians accuse the HPEC, appointed by the ruling military, of being a remnant of the country’s former regime and believe that the commission will rig the votes.

Mohammed Mursi along with former member of Muslim Brotherhood, Abdel Moneim Aboul Fotouh, Former Arab League chief Amr Moussa, and the leader of the Dignity Party, Hamdeen Sabbahi and former Prime Minister Ahmed Shafiq are the main contenders of the race.

A run-off would take place on June 16 and 17 if necessary. Final results are expected on June 21.