NDP to the Naughty Corner

The National Consensus Electoral Committee proposed on June 9 a ban on all the former National Democratic Party’s (NDP) leaders and prominent figures from participation in the political scene for the next five years.   The National Consensus is a conference held periodically in which Deputy Prime Minister Yehia El-Gamal, political analysts and other experts come together to discuss the state of affairs of the nation and offer recommendations on the way forward. The group comprises several committees of experts, activists and politicians to handle specific issues, including elections.   And just so the NDP members don’t feel particularly picked on, the decision applies to all those accused of corruption, wasting public money, misinforming public opinion or defending those accused of killing the protesters. Apparently, nobody is innocent until proven guilty post-January 25.   And what other way to start free and democratic elections than to ban citizens from participating in them? The decision also applies to all former members of parliament who were proven to have been part in the rigging the election results of 2005 and 2010.