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 Four years after Egypt's 2011 popular uprising that toppled
Mubarak and raised hopes for an end to patronage politics, many
desperate citizens will cast their vote in next month's
parliamentary poll in accordance with the same old system.
They say they have little choice. Unemployment is running at 13
percent and two-fifths of the population live on or around the
poverty line, with living conditions worsening since Mubarak's
overthrow.
A crackdown by the military-backed government on Islamists and
liberals has opened the field for businessmen who supported Mubarak
during his 30 year rule.
Dozens are being granted acquittals after graft charges are thrown
out. Once freed some are reviving the past: offering handouts to
secure votes.
The practice, while not illegal, is raising concerns among civil and
rights groups.
One example is Ahmed Ezz, a potential candidate in the race for the
one seat in Sadat City, northwest of Cairo.
 He is seen by many Egyptians as one of the most powerful symbols of
crony capitalism in Mubarak's Egypt and served in two previous
parliaments.
Ezz, who declined to be interviewed, has publicly denied allegations
that he has tarnished Egyptian politics or engaged in corruption.
He is appealing a decision by a court to bar him from running on the
grounds he has not submitted all the required election documents. On
Tuesday night, he appeared on a television talkshow and defended his
right to contest polls.
The steel tycoon who was a prominent member of the now dissolved
National Democratic Party, became rich during Mubarak's rule. He
spent the aftermath of the 2011 revolt in jail convicted of
corruption charges. Ezz was freed in August but still faces trials
on graft charges.
The high election committee has rejected his application to contest
the election in March and April, but he is appealing the decision
and his wife is running as well.
GOVERNMENT'S FAILURE
In Sadat City where he owns many factories, residents say they
support his return to office because the government is failing them.
"I strongly support him... he is providing us with services," said
Sherif Abdel-Hameed, a merchant in a crowded produce market. "As
long as the state is marginalizing me, he will be more important for
me than the public interest."
People like Abdelhameed say their villages suffer from unemployment
and poor healthcare, electricity shortages and poor sanitation.
Vendors and shoppers in the market told Reuters they had received
gifts such as blankets and fertilizer from Ezz's charity.
At a private hospital nearby, the foundation is subsidizing health
care, picking up half the bill for patients.
More than 1,100 patients have so far benefited, Amir Saad, a
hospital administrator at Harmel Memorial Hospital, said. But those
who benefit must live in Ezz's electoral district and be eligible to
vote.
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"I will vote for Ezz. He has been providing us with services for
many years," said Sabri El-Garhi, whose daughter was being treated
for kidney gallstones at half the cost.
Hany Shafiq, the head of the hospital, insisted that medical care
trumped politics in desperate circumstances.
"If the devil came to me saying he wanted to help patients, I would
deal with him."
Sherif Afifi, a ceramics factory owner and contender for the same
seat, presents himself as an alternative to traditional politics. He
too is a businessman with no political track record.
"During his two terms, Ezz provided temporary and individual
services, but there was no development on the ground," Afifi told
Reuters in his campaign headquarters in a villa that stood out amid
the dreary landscape of apartment blocks in the town.
Afifi has pledged to focus on infrastructure and sustainable
development but he faces accusations from residents of utilizing
Ezz's methods.
He does not deny donating ceramics to support the building of places
of worship and schools, but says he's been doing this for years out
of a sense of community, long before he considered running for
office.
"The vast majority of the contenders are depending on the same
measures as the former NDP ... the problem is in the election system
which makes services and money the most effective indicators in the
election process," said Waheed Abdelmajeed, a political science
professor.
Back in the market, a young woman selling strawberries insults a
crowd of men praising Ezz.
"There was a revolution and people died and now he's back, to do
what?" said Heba, referring to hundreds of people who were killed in
protests or violence during the 18-day uprising against Mubarak.
Others agree.
"Ezz does nothing except for the inner circle around him," said Ali
Abbas, a 26-year-old unemployed university graduate.
(Editing by Yara Bayoumy, Michael Georgy and Janet McBride)
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