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Egypt's cartoonists ease tensions as elections kick off

Despite the government intensifying its crackdown on dissent and the media ahead of the presidential elections, a handful of Egyptian cartoonists defiantly continue to lampoon Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi's inevitable victory.
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Egyptians began heading to the polls today to cast their vote in presidential elections that critics have described as "farcical." President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi is running against a little-known contender who had earlier endorsed Sisi's candidacy for a second term. In the weeks leading up to the poll, the authorities have intensified their crackdown on dissent, using all means in their power to intimidate and silence critics.

In this climate of fear and intimidation, many voices have fallen silent — except several defiant Egyptian cartoonists who continue to push the envelope, criticizing the government's abuse of power and challenging censorship despite the risks.

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