Anwar Sadat's nephew backs out of Egypt presidential election

Mohamed Anwar Sadat, the nephew of late Egyptian President Anwar al-Sadat, decided against running 
Mohamed Anwar Sadat, the nephew of late Egyptian President Anwar al-Sadat, decided against running  Credit:  REUTERS/Mohamed Abd El Ghany

The nephew of assassinated Egyptian president Anwar Sadat has decided not to run in this year’s presidential election saying a climate of fear and intimidation surrounds the vote in Egypt.  

Mohamed Anwar Sadat, whose uncle was killed in 1981, was widely expected to challenge incumbent president Abdel Fattah al-Sisi in the March elections. 

But he announced Monday that the was not going ahead with a campaign run, suggesting he feared for the safety of his supporters if he tried to challenge the authoritarian Mr Sisi. 

“People who volunteered to collect votes of confidence were scared away,” Mr Sadat. “I‘m scared for the young men and women and don’t want to expose them to this, because we won’t be able to do anything for them.”

Mr Sadat is the latest high-profile figure to be deterred from throwing his hat into the ring. Last week, Ahmed Shafik, a former prime minister who was seen a potentially serious challenger to Mr Sisi said he was bowing out. 

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi is expected to be overwhelmingly re-elected 
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi is expected to be overwhelmingly re-elected  Credit: REUTERS/Philippe Wojazer/File Picture

Mr Shafik’s announcement came after a bizarre episode in which he was met by Egyptian security men at Cairo airport and briefly disappeared following his return from exile in the UAE.

Prosecutors and the intelligence services are widely seen to be trying to clear the field for Mr Sisi, who has not formally announced that he is running for re-election. 

Khaled Ali, a 45-year-old human rights lawyer, was charged with public indecency soon after announcing he was planning to run in the elections. He is so far staying in the race but will be disqualified if he is convicted.

Sami Anan, a former military chief of staff, also announced this week that he is planning to run against Mr Sisi. He is well known in Egypt and currently represents the most formidable challenge to the president. 

The deadline for candidates to declare and qualify for the election is January 29. 

Election regulations stipulate that would-be candidates must obtain the backing of at least 20 members of parliament for their candidacy or be supported by at least 25,000 eligible voters in at least 15 governorates.

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