By Tamim Elyan
CAIRO: Hamdeen Sabahi, candidate in Al-Hamoul constituency in Kafr El-Sheikh governorate, will participate in the run-off elections against National Democratic Party’s (NDP) candidate Essam Abdel Ghaffar despite withdrawing on Sunday.
Hossam Mo’nes, manager of Sabahi’s campaign, said that the Karama Party founder and MP in the past parliament was reconsidering returning to the race in case of a run-off.
Sabahi announced late Sunday, just a couple of hours before the polls closed, his withdrawal from the elections because of alleged fraud in favor of the NDP candidate.
“Until last night [Sunday], Sabahi was determined in his decision to withdraw; however, the Supreme Electoral Commission said the decision came too late. And the people of Al-Hamoul demonstrated in front of his house demanding he refrains from his decision,” Mo’nes said.
In spite of the release of preliminary results indicating a run-off between Sabahi and Abdel-Ghaffar, Sabahi’s supporters said he’s waiting for the official final results on Tuesday to make the decision.
Sabahi could not be immediately reached for comment on Monday.
In Ousim constituency, Sixth of October City, Muslim Brotherhood (MB) candidate Mahmoud Amer withdrew from the race late on elections day to prevent bloodshed, according to Helmy Al-Gazar, MB coordinator in Sixth of October.
“Trucks filled with police were waiting outside voting stations and Amer’s supporters were determined to break into the stations due to severe fraud, so Amer decided to withdraw to prevent bloody clashes from taking place,” Al-Gazar said.
According to preliminary results, a run-off is due in this constituency but between two NDP candidates.
This story was changed to add details about the date of the elections results.
