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Habib: Constitution Opponents Ultimately Fear Ballot-box

Freedom and Justice Party’s former Vice-Chairman Habib points that opponents of Egypt’s new constitution know they do not have the power to persuade people and win them over, and are therefore afraid of going to the ballot-box.

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In a blog post on his Facebook page, Dr. Rafiq Habib, former Presidential Adviser and Vice-Chairman of the Freedom and Justice Party (FJP), said that demonstration is a form of expression of an opinion, “Violence, on the other hand, is an attempt to impose opinion, create chaos and undermine democracy”.

Dr. Habib pointed that the recurrence of violence in demonstrations means that a certain faction no longer sees a way to achieve its objectives, visions or choices, except by aggravating crisis situations, and creating of a state of chaos, confusion and violence.

"Confrontation cannot be a way to express opinion, but a means to impose a fait accompli, which destroys the whole notion of democracy."

He further emphasized that any faction that gives cover to violence, confrontation or chaos scenarios will ultimately be the loser, after inflicting heavy losses on the whole country.

Dr. Habib also stressed that no faction can bring its visions to life without convincing people and winning at the ballot box.

"Those who reject the new constitution, and seek to prevent the forthcoming referendum, are fully aware that they cannot convince the majority of people of their point-of-view. This is why they want to impose their opinion. Indeed, those who are dissatisfied with their role and performance in the political arena now, have to work among the people, in order to achieve what they want in a democratic way.

"By contrast, those who imagine they can impose their opinion through rioting, vandalism and violence, will lose the opportunity to expand their popular base."