President Sisi remains unruffled ahead of Egypt’s presidential poll

Days before polls open in Egypt’s presidential election, President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi visited a military base in North Sinai, appearing in uniform and vowing to return after the vote to celebrate the security forces’ “victory against the deviants.”

During his visit,Sisi was filmed dining and chatting with the troops. “Do not hesitate to use all force against them,” he told soldiers, referring to the battle against terrorism concentrated in the North Sinai province.

Suffering from economic hardship was nothing compared to the collapse of the state, he said.

Keen on a high turnout, regardless of the expected final result, the government has been working to ensure polls are safe and open to all. The interior ministry and military have been beefing up security nationwide ahead of the elections.

Last month, the Daesh terrorist group issued a 23-minute video threatening to conduct attacks during the Egyptian elections.

The group warned Muslims in Egypt to stay away from polling stations and avoid large gatherings, vowing to carry out attacks during the domestic vote. It has also levelled threats against Egypt’s Christian community. In February, the security forces had launched Operation Sinai 2018, a comprehensive counter-terrorism effort targeting extremists and criminal organisations in “northern and central Sinai, as well as parts of the Nile Delta and the Western Desert.”

Despite increased security measures ahead of the polls, a car bomb went off in Alexandria on Saturday, killing two policemen and injuring several others. The intended target was Alexandria Security Director Mostafa El-Nemr, who is said to have survived unharmed. No group has yet claimed responsibility for the car bombing.

Unruffled by the race, Sisi made two public speeches last week, calling on Egyptians to “make Egypt’s voice heard” by participating in the ballots, regardless of their political orientation.

He said the participation of citizens in the poll would show the world “how nations are built”, describing them as “loyal sons who answer the call of duty.”

Other than that, the 64-year-old incumbent seems to have been unconcerned about the upcoming electoral battle, leaving his campaign team and supporters to win votes while he continues with his normal presidential duties, with national security figuring high on the list.

Over the weekend, major television and radio stations have been playing patriotic songs that call on Egyptians to participate in the elections, as well as the national anthem, and a song sung by the Egyptian army’s shock troops.

Voters will be going to the polls across Egypt over three days, starting Monday, with the winner scheduled to be announced by the National Elections Authority (NEA) on 2 April.

Egyptians living abroad have already cast their votes, attending polling stations from 16 to 18 March, although the results of those ballots will not be announced until the final election results are issued.

Around 59 million Egyptians are eligible to vote, according to NEA statistics.

Sisi’s only rival in the election is Moussa Mostafa Moussa, the head of the Ghad Party, and a man who has publicly declared himself a supporter of Sisi’s policies.

A last-minute entrant to the race, Moussa submitted his application to register as a candidate just an hour before the deadline for registration. Several weeks earlier, Moussa had been collecting endorsements for El-Sisi to run for a second term.

He has said that he entered the race after other prospective candidates dropped out, with the aim of avoiding a one-name election.

Many of the capital’s streets and public places boast banners advertising local business or residents’ support for El-Sisi, while the president’s official campaign billboards are on display in major squares.

By contrast, pro-Moussa banners have been harder to spot in Cairo, apart from around his party headquarters in the downtown area.

Nearly a week ahead of this year’s vote, Sisi appeared on screens in a glossy pre-recorded TV interview package, which was broadcast by a number of major channels.

He told his interviewer that he should not be blamed for the election seeming to be a one-horse race.

“It’s not my fault,” he said. “I swear to God, I wish there had been … 10 of the best [candidates] and [for people to] choose. But we are not ready yet. Isn’t it a shame?” he said.

He made the comments in response to a 10-minute clip comprised of interviews with dozens of citizens around the country, who aired their grievances about their fears of imprisonment, tough economic conditions and soaring living costs.

Sisi hinted that the problem lay in Egypt’s over 100 political parties not fielding any candidates.

Earlier this year, several high-profile figures, including leftist lawyer Khaled Ali, former MP Mohamed Anwar El-Sadat and former prime minister Ahmed Shafiq, dropped out of the presidential race before it even began, citing “the absence of any possibilities for fair competition.”

Two other possible candidates — former military chief of staff Sami Anan and Colonel Ahmed Konsowa — were arrested after announcing their intention to stand for breaching the laws of military service by running for office before ending their service and without seeking the army’s permission.

Egyptian authorities have rejected accusations that candidates were pressured to withdraw.

In numerous TV and newspaper interviews, Moussa, Sisi’s only competitor, has made the same assertion, namely that he’s not a “puppet” of the current regime.

During his final press conference before the electoral showdown, the politician, who has been a figure of fun on social media, told Ahram Online that the competition is serious and “very strong.”

In interviews, he has made few policy pledges besides his “patriotic obligation” to protect the country from the Muslim Brotherhood.

He said he expects 60 percent of eligible voters to head to the polls, far more than the 47 percent turnout in the 2014 vote that brought Sisi to office.

Source: Ahram Online