Scores of drivers and pedestrians forced the reopening of the 6th of October Bridge in Cairo on Thursday evening after clashes that included the use of knives and bottles. The bridge had been blocked for more than two hours by protesters. Some protesters and drivers suffered minor injuries in the clashes.
The protest had been called for by revolutionary groups, and the protesters demanded the fall of the ruling military council and the disqualification of ousted regime figures from the presidential race.
The demonstrators demanded that Article 28 of the Constitutional Declaration be abolished, asserting that it proves the military council’s intention to falsify the elections to remain in power.
Article 28 gives the Presidential Elections Commission immunity against appeals of its decisions. Activists and political groups fear that it would allow for fraudulent elections.
Voting in Egypt’s first post-Mubarak presidential election starts in May.
The demonstration began in Talaat Harb Street, moving to Tahrir Square then blocking the 6th of October Bridge.
The demonstrators chanted slogans against the military council and the Muslim Brotherhood, which holds a parliamentary majority.
Political parties and movements have called for a demonstration on Friday, 20 April demanding that former regime figures be banned for the presidential race, the abolishment of Article 28 and the transfer of power to a civilian government.
The elections commission has excluded 10 candidates, including ex-intelligence chief and former Vice President Omar Suleiman, whose nomination sparked the original call for protest.
This article is an edited translation from Al-Masry Al-Youm
