Britannica
Sources used in this answer
Why did Muslim Brotherhood candidates run as independents in Egypt’s 2000 and 2005 elections?
Created from Britannica articles
using AI.
AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
Muslim Brotherhood
Hassan al-Banna, a schoolteacher in Ismailia, Egypt, founded the Muslim Brotherhood in 1928 as an attempt to modernize Islamic society.
In Egypt’s 2000 and 2005 elections, candidates affiliated with the Muslim Brotherhood ran as independents because the organization remained formally banned by the government.1
During this period, the National Democratic Party served as the official government party, and the Muslim Brotherhood was officially unrepresented in the political process. By running as independents, Brotherhood supporters were able to circumvent the legal restrictions placed on the organization, allowing them to compete in legislative elections and secure significant representation in parliament.21