Egyptian security forces will put a stop to any violations of electoral campaign regulations by political parties or their respective candidates in Sunday's parliamentary elections, Interior Minister Habib al-Adli said on Monday. Al-Adli went on to say that political rallies did not represent a legitimate campaigning tool since they had the potential to escalate into clashes between the supporters of rival candidates, which could in turn undermine the country's stability. The Muslim Brotherhood (MB) opposition movement, for its part, accused security forces of attacking its members at electoral rallies held on Friday in support of its parliamentary candidates. According to MB spokesmen, police used tear gas to disperse the crowds, injuring at least 12 people in the process. Egypt's state press on Monday reported that authorities had accused MB members participating in the rallies of "terrorism, undermining public security, hindering public transport, resisting authorities and rioting." Al-Adli asserted that such rallies were organized by "those who do not have the country's best interest at heart," in a veiled reference to the brotherhood. In September, al-Adli warned that security forces would prevent MB candidates from using religious slogans in their electoral campaigns. "If any [MB candidate] commits an act punishable by law, or in contravention to election campaign rules--like using religious or sectarian slogans--immediate action will be taken,” the minister said at the time.
