Egypt presidential finale sees apathetic voters, clashing supporters

Source: ahramonline

¬snip¬

A Thursday court ruling deeming Egypt's parliament unconstitutional and dissolving the assembly could have soured the celebratory mood that was apparent in prior elections.

It may also have contributed to the low turnout reported by Hatem Bagato, the head of the country's Supreme Presidential Electoral Commission (SPEC).

According to a statement released by the lawyers syndicate's committee for monitoring the runoffs, participation did not exceed 15 per cent on the first day of elections.

Voters, according to many observers, also seemed to be motivated by a need to protest rather than genuine support for their chosen candidate.

"I will vote for Mursi because he is only hope the revolution will continue. It was unfair of the ruling military to dissolve parliament," 45-year old Habiba Hosni told Ahram Online, adding that she did not vote for Mursi in the first round.



Read more: http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/36/122/45191/Presidential-elections-/Presidential-elections-news/Egypt-presidential-finale-sees-apathetic-voters,-c.aspx