23/5/2012

Many reports of electoral abuses have surfaced, such as those that describe Islamic groups going into villages, hamlets and slums with huge quantities of food, such as potatoes, oil and sugar and sometimes even money, to distribute to the poor people to buy their votes. (When I say “Islamic groups” I distinguish between those who practice Islam sincerely, as their faith, and those who manipulate religion for political gain.)

The media must be vigilant until the end of the election; they must take their cameras into the streets to expose these abuses, which threaten the legitimacy of the election. The state TV should be particularly alert and active at this time. Is it too much to ask of the State to protect the will of the voters through the single channel they own?

translated from Al-Akhbar