Egyptians go to polls

Press, 7 April 1987, Page 10

Egyptians go to polls

NZPA-Reuter Cairo Egyptians voted for a new parliament yesterday, in a General Election clouded by Opposition charges of mass arrests. No incidents were reported as early risers among 14.5 million eligible voters cast their ballots for 448 elected seats in the 458-member People’s Assembly. President Hosni Mubarak’s National Democratic Party (N.D.P.) was considered certain to win another crushing majority in the legislature, and Opposition Muslim hardliners were expected to increase their strength. Five legal opposition parties and the officiallybanned Muslim Brotherhood, are fighting the N.D.P., in Egypt’s second election since Mr Mubarak, aged 58, came to power in 1981. First results are due to be announced today.

The jobs of Mr Mubarak, and the Prime Minister, Atef Sedki, are not on the line In the election. Mr Mubarak appoints the Prime Minister and 10 members of Parliament. Leaders of the Socialist Labour Party (S.L.P.) said between 750 and 1000 members of an Opposition alliance to which it belongs had been arrested. Other members 'of the alliance are the Liberal Party and the banned but tolerated Muslim Brotherhood. The Interior Ministry confirmed that there had been arrests but said We Opposition figures were exaggerated. i Security sources said 30 members of the Muslim Brotherhood had been farrested in one area of western Cairo on charges of breaking campaign laws. The exact number of those detained was not officially disclosed.