Some doubt the effectiveness of the signature campaign launched by the National Association for Change.
Signatures are gathered either through the campaign’s website or directly from citizens. Opponents of the campaign say it’s a waste of time and effort–for the simple, and perhaps logical, reason that all those invested with decision-making powers, and most importantly the National Democratic Party, will continue to ignore the campaign even if millions of signatures are gathered.
They will even do their utmost to challenge the credibility of the campaign, opponents say.
Clearly, though, this viewpoint focuses primarily on quantity and ignores other, more important dimensions, such as the promotional and educational aspects of the campaign.
The campaign to gather signatures has clear promotional and educational dimensions. Citizens who provide their signature get to know about the National Association for Change, the political powers that support it, the motives behind its establishment, and the leaders and figures forming it.
The campaign is also an opportunity to articulate the demands of the campaign and to promote its platform.
The campaign is therefore a kind of political activism that involves direct contact with the public with the objective of mobilizing people and preparing them to assert their legitimate rights.
Egyptian political life has for a long time suffered from its lack of political parties. Following the 1952 revolution parties were abolished, and today’s parties undergo severe restrictions on their activities, imposed since their establishment in the seventies.
It’s supremely important to come up with ways to get around procedures that prevent contact with the public, and campaigns such as the signature campaign are one way. Besides, this campaign is a golden opportunity to help Egyptians develop experience in the field of political activism. As such, the campaign to gather signatures has by far more than just one objective.
Nevertheless, the success of the campaign will be gauged by how successful it is in gathering a large number of signatures, as this will establish its credibility.
Translated from the Arabic Edition.
