CAIRO (AP) — Voting closed on Tuesday in Egypt’s presidential election that is almost certain to see President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi secure a third term.
The election has been overshadowed by the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza, a conflict on Egypt’s eastern border that threatens to expand into wider regional turmoil.
Voting began Sunday. According to a timetable published by the National Election Authority, the results will be announced on Dec. 18.
El-Sissi, who has been president for over nine years, faces no serious challenger. The three other candidates include Farid Zahran, head of the opposition Social Democratic Party; Abdel-Sanad Yamama, chairman of the Wafd Party; and Hazem Omar, head of the Republican People’s Party.
More than 67 million Egyptians were eligible to vote, with the turnout yet to be announced. As of noon Monday, 45% of the eligible electorate had cast their ballots, the National Election Authority said.
A runoff is set for Jan. 8-10 if no candidate secures more than 50% of the vote.
The North African country faces an economic crisis, with inflation surging. One third of Egypt’s 105 million people live in poverty, according to official figures.
El-Sissi came to power in 2014, a year after he as defense minister led the military removal of the elected but divisive Islamist President Mohammed Morsi during widespread street protests against his rule.
2024-12-25 21:512006 view
2024-12-25 21:171622 view
2024-12-25 20:35786 view
2024-12-25 20:16142 view
2024-12-25 19:55861 view
2024-12-25 19:451571 view
Superhero fatigue? In 2024, Deadpool gave all that talk a middle finger salute. (And Wolverine threw
"Only Murders in the Building" is adding a few new tenants.The hit whodunnit is set to return for a
Caitlin Clark and No. 6 Iowa traveled to face Minnesota in a Big Ten showdown Wednesday night, and e