Vote Counting Begins in Egypt

Vote counting began in Egypt on Tuesday evening after polls closed at 7PM GMT. The National Elections Authority, which is responsible for organising the poll, said approximately 67 million Egyptians were registered to cast their ballot in the presidential election.

The NEA announced that it recorded an “unprecedented” turnout.

Former army chief Abdelfattah El-Sissi is running against three relatively unknown candidates: Farid Zahran, leader of the left-leaning Egyptian Social Democratic Party; Abdel-Sanad Yamama, from the Wafd; and Hazem Omar, from the Republican People’s Party.

Voting in Egypt started on Sunday, while Egyptian expatriates cast their ballots in early December.

The cost of living is a top priority for many voters who have seen their savings diminish in an economic crisis worsened by the devaluation of the official currency.

Foreign policy, particularly in the aftermath of the Israeli offensive in the neighboring Gaza and the resulting humanitarian crisis, is also a significant concern for some.

Results of the presidential polls are expected to be announced on Monday.

In the event that no candidate secures more than 50% of the vote, a runoff is scheduled for January 8-10.