The lack of interest, particularly from the young people who comprise the majority of Egypt’s population, contrasted with the long queues and youthful enthusiasm of the 2011-12 polls that followed the overthrow of veteran autocrat Hosni Mubarak. “I’m not going to give my vote to someone who doesn’t deserve it,” said Michael Bassili, 19, from Alexandria. “As young people, we’re trying to fix the country and we’ll work to do this … but these guys are just interested in money and themselves.” President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi had personally urged Egyptians to use their vote, and the low turnout suggested the former general, who once enjoyed cult-like adulation, was losing some of his appeal.
… Last year’s presidential election was extended for a third day in order to boost turnout, with pro-government media urging Egyptians to show up. Sisi won 97 percent of votes.
This time, even Egypt’s largely loyalist press focused on the lack of interest in the polls. Analysts say Sisi may try to spin the apathy to his favour by arguing that Egyptians place more faith in the presidency.
“An election without voters,” said a front-page headline in the business daily Al-Mal. “Elections without queues,” read a headline in Al Shorouk.
Full Article: Egypt in second day of ‘election without voters’ | Reuters.