Top Candidates Among Rejected for Egypt's Presidential Election

(Photo by Reuters)
L-to-R: al-Shater, Suleiman, and Abu Ismail

In a dramatic, controversial, and potentially explosive decision on Saturday, the following candidates were disqualified to run for Egypt's Presidency by the Presidential Election Commission:

1. Khairat al-Shater
2. Hazem Salah Abu Ismail
3. Omar Suleiman
4. Ayman Nour
5. Ahmed Saidi
6. Mamdouh Qutb
7. Ashraf Baroma
8. Ibrahim al-Ghareeb
9. Mortada Mansour
10. Ahmed Awad Al-Saidi

The top three names on that list have dominated the headlines in recent weeks, and two were projected top candidates to be Egypt's next President.   

Al-Shater was the Muslim Brotherhood's surprise candidate--previously, MB had said they would not field a candidate; then, al-Shater controversially made statements that Sharia law was the goal of their campaign.  The MB has been the most outspoken against the proposed candidacy of Suleiman (see below), calling for million man protests in Tahrir to object to his or any other former Mubarak staff member's candidacy for president.

Suleiman previously served in the Mubarak-led government as "spy-chief".  Given the revolution and general distaste for all things Mubarak, Suleiman was a bit of a surprise announcement for President and the media was a buzz with outrage toward his candidacy.  The Parliament actually voted on a bill to reject any such former Mubarak regime officer from running for President (see previous link); but, the Parliament is Islamists-dominated, the bill would have pended approval by the new constitution, and that the new constitution committee has been disbanded due to all their ongoing lack of agreement and strife.  Though a surprise candidate, Suleiman may have been trying to capitalize on a growing sentiment that the days with Mubarak may not have been "that bad", and may actually "be better" than the current state of Egypt and the course Egypt seemed destined to take.  The candidacy actually created unique discussion on far into a free, democratic society does Egypt actually want if it is seeking to censor candidates that may have a different opinion and ideals for leadership.

Finally, Abu Ismail has been the literal face of the Salafi political hope--the Salafis are a branch fundamental Islam that many consider extreme.  Abu Ismail has proven to be a savvy politician, getting his face in front of the population to comedic proportions--reportedly trying to get a poster, sticker or banner with his face for every person in Egypt.  His Facebook page recorded outrage and potential ramifications of his disqualification.  Based on the number and zeal of his supporters, this is not likely to be an idle statement.

Al-Shater was disqualified because of recent crimes; Suleiman was disqualified because he did not have the right representative sampling of signatures for his candidacy; and Abu Ismail was disqualified because his mother allegedly holds dual citizenship.  All three have made statements that they are appealing the decision by the Presidential Election Commission according to their processes.  If the decision holds, the short-term consequences could be riotous; the long-term consequences may be hopeful for the moderate Egyptian population that includes the young revolutionaries and older, well-educated Egyptians, representing both the religious backgrounds of moderate/progressive Muslims and Christians.