Skip to main content

Despite Gloomy Forecasts, Turnout Rose in Egypt Runoff

Though bloggers had called for sitting out the runoff to protest the poor choice of candidates, and pundits predicted a low voter turnout, Egyptians disagreed, turning out in even greater numbers than they did in the first round of voting, Ahmed Nawar reports. One possible reason: voters found themselves presented with a much clearer choice.
Supporters of Muslim Brotherhood's president-elect Mohamed Morsy holds up a poster of Morsy next to a defaced poster of candidate Ahmed Shafik at Tahrir Square in Cairo June 24, 2012. Morsy pledged on Sunday to be a president for all Egyptians in a televised address after the Islamist was declared the winner of last weekend's election - an event he called a "historic moment". REUTERS/Amr Abdallah Dalsh  (EGYPT - Tags: POLITICS ELECTIONS)

In the same Square in which massive demonstrations toppled former President Hosni Mubarak last year, fireworks, flags and tears came together in equally massive celebrations as Mohamed Morsi was announced the first freely-elected President of Egypt yesterday.

While some rejoiced at the victory of the Muslim Brotherhood's Freedom and Justice Party candidate, others simply let out loud sighs of relief at Ahmed Shafiq's loss, Mubarak's last prime minister.

Access the Middle East news and analysis you can trust

Join our community of Middle East readers to experience all of Al-Monitor, including 24/7 news, analyses, memos, reports and newsletters.

Subscribe

Only $100 per year.