CAIRO (AP) — A leading member of Egypt’s most powerful Islamist party is criticizing calls by the opposition for a boycott of upcoming parliamentary elections.

The deputy head of the Muslim Brotherhood’s Freedom and Justice Party, Essam el-Erian, wrote on his Facebook page Saturday that “running away from a popular test only means that some want to assume executive authority without a democratic mandate.”

His comments come after opposition figure Mohammed ElBaradei called for a boycott of elections, saying he will not be part of a “sham democracy.”

The Egyptian president’s Brotherhood has emerged as the country’s most powerful political group while liberal, secular parties have trailed behind.