Egypt’s Sisi wins second term with 97 percent of vote

by WorldTribune Staff, April 3, 2018

Egyptian President Abdul Fatah Sisi won re-election in a landslide with 97.08 percent of valid votes cast, Egypt’s National Elections Authority (NEA) said on April 2.

Egyptian President Abdul Fatah Sisi

The NEA said that 24,254,152 citizens voted in the elections at home and abroad, out of nearly 59 million eligible voters, representing a turnout of 41.5 percent.

Sisi, who helped lead the coup which ousted Islamist President Mohammed Morsi in 2013, won a second four-year term.

The NEA said the number of invalid ballots was 7.27 percent of total votes cast.

Ghad Party chief Moussa Mostafa Moussa, Sisi’s sole opponent, received 2.92 percent of total votes cast.

At total of 54 local and international organizations, including African Union observers and the Arab League, observed the voting process, reporting no violations of procedure, said the NEA.

U.S. President Donald Trump congratulated Sisi.

“The two leaders affirmed the strategic partnership between the United States and Egypt, and noted that they look forward to advancing this partnership and addressing common challenges,” the White House said.

The U.S. State Department also highlighted the two nations’ “strategic partnership,” but also encouraged “respect for and protection of basic rights and freedoms” in a statement on April 2.

“We have noted reports of constraints on freedoms of expression and association in the run-up to the elections,” State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert said.

“We will continue to encourage a broadening of opportunities for political participation for Egyptians, and emphasize the importance of the protection of human rights and the vital role of civil society in Egypt.”


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