The current presidential candidate, Farid Zahran, said regarding referring Al-Tantawi and a number of members of his campaign to trial: “We followed with astonishment and dissatisfaction the decision to refer the former MP, Ahmed Al-Tantawi, his campaign manager, and 21 of its members to criminal trial on charges of circulating papers related to the elections without the permission of the competent authorities, by calling on citizens to sign popular powers of attorney to support the election.” Tantawi.”
He continued: “While we know, and everyone knows, the obstacles and transgressions that occurred that constituted a violation of the right of presidential candidates to complete the candidacy procedures by obtaining citizens’ powers of attorney, we have repeatedly announced this and demanded that the executive authority stand at an equal distance from all candidates, and not side with one candidate over another, while providing the opportunity for all citizens.” To provide agencies for their candidates and not interfere by preventing or coercing them.”
He noted: “The extent of the restrictions that occurred during the stage of collecting popular proxies, in which potential candidates submitted complaints to the National Elections Authority and to public opinion, which meant that the complaints of the candidates were investigated and not that one of them’s campaign was referred to trial.”
Zahran stressed that “what happened in terms of referring Ahmed Tantawi and a number of members of his campaign to trial cannot be viewed outside the framework of attempts to harass those with oppositional opinions, which contradicts what we called for and demand, namely the necessity of opening the space and allowing freedom of expression for all, especially in the circumstances that you are going through.” “The region as a whole, and with the approaching important electoral elections that everyone is anticipating.”
He pointed out: “We have taken all serious steps towards participating in the presidential elections, and we are still waiting for the practices that will result in the coming days. Will these practices indicate that the elections will be held in a climate different from the 2018 elections, or will it be a repetition of the same scene despite all the efforts made by the opposition forces?” And the sacrifices you made.
For his part, former presidential candidate Hamdeen Sabahi said: “The trial of Ahmed Tantawi and his brave campaign members confirms the fact that the security muscle dominates the political mind, and confirms the fact that the presidential elections are just a charade with no guarantees, no spirit, and no popular participation.”
Commenting on Tantawi’s arrest, former Egyptian Vice President Mohamed ElBaradei said: “A crime that has many dimensions and repercussions on national security, especially at this critical stage that the nation is going through. Perhaps it is useful to listen to the opinion of the presidential candidates on this important issue.”