Defective democracy

Over the past quarter century, I have witnessed countless presidential and parliamentary elections in the Middle East and North Africa. I cannot remember one that went off without voter intimidation, violence or vote rigging. In fact, every time an election is announced it almost seems as though the country holding it is preparing for war. The military is mobilized and placed on high alert; buildings housing radio and television stations as well as government offices become armed fortresses and a feeling of doom grips the nation. As a journalist, I have had rough times covering elections in the region. I have been arrested by police on multiple occasions. In one well documented case, during the 2000 parliamentary elections in Egypt, I was beaten up and had all my photographic equipment smashed to pieces. Thugs, or ‘baltaguiya’, hired by Egypt’s ruling National Democratic Party (NDP), accosted me as I was leaving