Egyptians unmoved by elections

Egyptians unmoved by elections

Reuters | 20 October, 2015 08:10

A man casts his vote during parliamentary elections at a voting center in Giza governorate, Egypt, October 19, 2015. Egyptian Prime Minister Sherif Ismail said on Monday that turnout during the previous day's parliamentary election was just 15-16 percent but should rise now after public sector workers were given a half-day off to vote.
Image by: REUTERS/Mohamed Abd El Ghany / REUTERS

Egyptians largely stayed away from parliamentary elections for a second day yesterday.

Prime Minister Sherif Ismail said turnout on the first day of voting on Sunday was only 15%-16%.

A surge was expected yesterday because public sector workers were given a half-day off to vote.

Estimates by judges overseeing the ballot suggested that the turnout had risen to 20% or more by yesterday afternoon.

The lack of interest, particularly from young people who comprise the majority of Egypt's population, stands in contrast to the long queues and youthful enthusiasm of the 2011-2012 polls.

"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 that, but these guys are just interested in themselves."

The low turnout suggests that either President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi is losing some of his appeal or that voters regard the outcome as a foregone conclusion.

With most of his opponents in jail, Sisi, who remains widely popular because he has brought much improved security to the lives of ordinary Egyptians and stabilised the economy, is not expected to face any serious challenges from parliament
.