Egypt concluded its presidential elections on May 24 with a run-off scheduled for June 16-17. The second round of voting will be between the Muslim Brotherhood’s candidate Mohamed Moursy and Hosni Mubarak’s former prime minister Ahmed Shafiq.
Many Egyptians continue to blame a lack of transparency and corruption charges as to the results, but this was the first democratically held presidential election. The process will meet some discrepancies, but more election experience will allow the process to grow more transparent. Omar Abdel Basset, a student at the American University in Cairo, told Alternative Energy Africa that he was dismayed at the results of the first round of voting. “Although I see that many people still lack political awareness, I believe that we have missed such a massive approach towards democracy.” He said that he couldn’t understand how a member of the ousted regime garnered so much support considering the turnout of the protests during Egypt’s revolution.
Noha Ali said, “I never supported the revolution. I was always with Mubarak and I am with Shafiq.” Ali went on the first day (May 23) to vote; however, after waiting for three hours, she had to leave after a verbal altercation. A woman fully veiled wearing the niqab approached Ali asking to whom she would cast her vote. Ali said, “She knew I was ‘falool’ (for the old regime).” The woman began to spout religious rhetoric at Ali, attempting to convince her to vote for one of the ultra religious candidates. Ali complained to the nearby Army personnel who forced the woman to stop approaching voters. The woman continued to make a problem and Army members suggested Ali leave for her own safety. Returning the next day, an Army officer recognized Ali and took her ahead of those waiting so she could cast her vote.
Ali said she supports Shafiq because Egypt needs a strong leader. She noted how the country had become unsafe with businesses suffering. “I’m tired of this,” she said.
Some supporters of leftist candidate Hamdeen Sabahy have decided to boycott the next round of elections, disgruntled with both Shafiq and Moursy. If boycotting the next round becomes a decision of those registered to vote, it would seem a setback to the electoral process altogether. Why fight for the right to vote and dismiss it entirely because a specific candidate will not appear on the ballot?
Basset supported Abu el Fatouh because he believed that he had a clear vision to help transform Egypt in this critical time. He said that the reason he didn’t support Moursy was because he felt that religion and politics should remain separate. He said, "Both has its own separate identity and religion should not be downgraded and used as a key to gain power.”
Suggested Reading:
Power Crisis in Egypt amid Elections
Alternative Energy