Judge accuses Egypt authorities of fraud

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CAIRO, Nov. 24 (UPI) -- An Egyptian judge accused authorities of vote-rigging in the ongoing general elections, saying she was ready to testify in court.

Judge Hoda al-Zeini said in a letter published Thursday in daily Al-Masri al-Yom she has witnessed the falsification of the results of the votes in the electoral constituency of Damanhour where the government announced the victory of its candidate Mustafa Faqi.

She said the results, which were in favor of the candidate of the outlawed Muslim Brotherhood, Jamal Hishmat, were falsified in favor of Faqi, head of the committee of Arab affairs in the outgoing parliament.

"All indications from the various subcommittees were showing that Jamal Hishmat won 25,000 votes compared to 7,000 votes for his rival, Faqi," al-Zeini said.

Al-Zeini said she was ready to testify in court and called on Egypt's judges to boycott the remaining rounds of the elections.

On Wednesday, the Club of Egypt Judges, which is equivalent to the judges' syndicate, called for army to ensure a smooth electoral process, accusing police of being incapable of protecting candidates and voters.

A statement by the Club said several judges were harassed and intimidated during the second phase of the elections.

Violence marred last week's elections. In the port city of Alexandria two people have been killed and dozens injured amid tight competition between the ruling National Democratic Party and the Muslim Brotherhood.

The second round of the second phase is due on Nov. 26, and the third and last phase on Dec. 1.