Graffiti, Facebook and drums on the Egyptian campaign trail

By Nehal El-Sherif, dpa

   Cairo (dpa) – The walls around Imbaba in northern Cairo are adorned with stencilled graffiti and slogans: a man waving the red, white and black Egyptian flag, a pyramid, the words "Social Justice" and "So the Poor can Gain from the Revolution".

   Elsewhere, the traditional campaign banners that have always been part of elections flutter across the streets, where candidates mingle with the public.

   In the run-up to Egypt's parliamentary polls on November 28, many of the parties and candidates vying for seats in the first election since the fall of Hosny Mubarak's regime are trying innovative ways of delivering their message to the electorate.

   A coalition of nascent political groups is using graffiti to spread their message, while youth activists turned candidates are using social media such as Facebook - tools that were instrumental in pushing Mubarak out after 30 years.

   Amr Abu Tawila, who heads the graffiti campaign for the Revolution Continues Alliance, says for voters it marks a change from the "sophisticated language they hear every day.”

   "People are inundated with electoral materials that they can hardly differentiate from each other. But because we have different content, we use different means to impart it," he told dpa.

   "Graffiti is also a cheaper way of campaigning and more creative,” said Abu Tawila.   

   “It is similar to what we did during the 18 days of the revolution against Mubarak. We want people to connect us with what they saw in Tahrir Square," he added.

   The alliance is also depending on social media to reach out for tech-savvy voters.

   Ahmed Naguib, who emerged as a leading activist during the January 25 revolution, is using social networking websites to promote his candidacy.

   His supporters are also using his website and Facebook page to advertise his campaign.

   Some voters appear to prefer the more traditional approach though.

   "I would not choose a contender for the parliament who depends only on social media to reach out to people, because it means he would be out of touch with the people on the ground,” said Mona Adel, an engineering student.

   A band gathered on a Cairo street one evening performed patriotic songs in front of a small truck carrying banners for Mustafa al-Naggar, a candidate from the newly-founded al-Adl Party.

   The free concert drew a huge crowd. "People enjoyed it. We will repeat it," members of al-Naggar's campaign said.

   In the southern province of Assiut, one candidate employed the services of a Mesahrati, the traditional drummer who walks the streets waking people for the pre-dawn Ramadan meal.

   With people's curiosity aroused by the spectacle, Mohamed Moussa from the influential Muslim Brotherhood took the opportunity to canvas for votes.

   Candidates are being allowed to campaign on state television and radio, with party political broadcasts of 10 minutes at no cost.  Single contestants are allowed five minutes for free airtime.

   With the elections just days away, Adel was undecided on how she will vote, although she has spent a large part of time following the television talks shows, reading electoral platforms online and discussing it with friends.

   “Although each candidate has come up with a new technique to attract voters, it is mostly fun-related events. But when they talk about their programmes, they sound very vague,” said Adel.

   Hisham Sami, a 35-year-old IT developer who has never voted before, agrees.

   “It is the same old story. They hang many banners so you can see their faces wherever you go. They organize rallies to talk about democracy, equality or justice. Still, very few are willing to discuss their programmes and provide details,” said Sami.

Published here and in Spanish here