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THE TASTE OF LEGITIMACY
Competitive democratic elections have consequences
for candidates, parties and the voting public alike. Egypt has had
its first taste of multi-candidate presidential elections and, as
a result, a new sense of legitimacy has entered the political scene.
Referendum votes were legal and constitutional, but they do not
demand the same responsibilities associated with democratic self-governance.
In amending the constitution to allow multi-candidate elections,
President Mubarak has changed the face of Egyptian politics. Having
held power for 24 years, he placed his position in question and
invited the public to exercise its duty in determining Egypt’s
future. Likewise, the new system represents the greatest challenge
to Egypt’s opposition since the emergence of a pluralistic
system in the Sadat era. It is no longer enough to simply oppose
– alternative programs of substance must be offered. The people
have a choice and will be watching.
When a candidate wins a competitive election by a majority vote,
his tenure takes on important dimensions. Campaign pledges are not
just a means of garnering votes, but the standards by which a term
in office will be judged by the people. The legislative and constitutional
reforms that President Mubarak outlined for the next six years have
acquired additional weight and meaning. In voting for Mubarak, people
voted for the changes he promised, for more jobs and more rights.
The September 7 elections helped establish a greater consensus regarding
people’s expectations of government and it’s up to the
ruling party to deliver. From now on, Egyptians can assess their
leaders on the basis of performance, and have a voice in the country’s
political and economic reform.
Likewise the role of opposition parties has become crucial to Egypt’s
political revival. In opening the door to public scrutiny, the ruling
party also placed the spotlight on leadership alternatives –
or the lack thereof. Opposition parties now know where they stand
with their voting constituencies, and what they have to do to build
support. Aside from campaigning more effectively to improve their
outreach, they will need viable agendas to get people to rally behind
their cause. This in turn will up the ante for the ruling party.
The more professional and efficient the political parties become,
the more democratic Egypt will be. Voters will want to familiarize
themselves with their alternatives, to weigh and compare their choices
of party; in short, to engage more actively in the political decision-making
process.
Thanks to September 7, people also expect more of the voting process
itself. The legacy of referendum voting in terms of apathy and voter
irregularities is also under scrutiny. The ball is in the ruling
party’s court to raise public awareness about its stake in
government and to urge them to get out and vote. The upcoming parliamentary
elections offer an opportunity to do just that, while addressing
logistical and other shortcomings in the voting process. Now that
people have a choice of leadership, they have a vested interested
in the politicians they support. They care how their votes are tallied,
and want to see them treated with respect. Although it was a serious
attempt to institute a new electoral process, the September 7 elections
were, as expected, not perfect, and the ruling party will also be
judged on its efforts to improve the system. For people to feel
their voices count, they have to have restored confidence in how
their votes are counted.
Perhaps the most encouraging aspect of the presidential contest
was that it brought young people – first-time voters –
out to the polls. Indeed in many instances, it was youth who encouraged
their parents to get out and vote. Young people of all classes are
increasingly computer-literate, which means they’re in touch
with each other and have access to information. Consequently, they
will either be the ruling party’s greatest supporters –
or sharpest critics and will object loudly should they feel shortchanged.
Since Egypt’s population is composed largely of young people,
they will grow up voting, and with them Egypt’s political process
will mature.
Egypt’s September elections transformed the rhetoric of political
reform into a reality, one that is now irreversible. This is not
just a victory for the NDP, but the first crucial step towards the
victory of democracy in Egypt.
TAHER HELMY
President, AmCham Egypt
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