EGYPTIAN ELECTIONS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 80, Issue 78, 2 April 1938, Page 9

EGYPTIAN ELECTIONS

DISORDERLY SCENES OCCUR BRAWLS AND DESTRUCTION OF PROPERTY LONDON, March 31. The Times Cairo correspondent says fatal clashes in the Asyut district marked the Upper Egypt polling in the general elections. Four were shot dead and others wounded in a brawl between Government and Wafd groups at Benihalah. Several were wounded in a clash at Dcirut, in which firearms were used. | The great majority of rural electors were unable to write and gave the presiding officer, who marked the votname of the chosen candidate to the ing slip in the presence of assessors. i The voting was apparently generally carried out fairly, although a number of known rowdies were impounded on somewhat flimsy pretexts and detained for the period of the election. There is also little doubt that obstacles were put in the way of some Wafdists on their way to the booths whereas facilities were given Government supporters. The disorders are not confined to Upper Egypt. Serious brawls and the destruction of property occurred at Tanta on the occasion of the visit of Nahas Pasha. The police fired; about 50 police were slightly injured, also a number of demonstrators. The window of the British Consulate was broIken. Many arrests were made. Further casualties in clashes between police and demonstrators occurred at Samannond, which is Nahas Pasha’s birthplace The constituency of Lower Egypt goes to the poll on April 2. | Reuter’s correspondent says the elections appear to favour the Governjment. The Tinies correspondent says another death has occurred in the village of Tima, in Upper Egypt. The early returns show the defeat of three Wafdist ex-Ministers Makram Pasha. Alyzaki Fasba, and Hill Aly Bey, but. the Deputies can contest ■ two constituencies, so Makram may be 'elected.