By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
DailynewsegyptDailynewsegypt
  • Home
  • Business
    BusinessShow More
    Egypt to issue new bonds for climate, social goals
    Egypt to issue new bonds for climate, social goals
    September 27, 2023
    Saudi Public Investment Fund eyes stake in Palm Hills Development
    Saudi Public Investment Fund eyes stake in Palm Hills Development
    September 27, 2023
    UNDP, MBRF launch online learning initiative for Arab countries
    UNDP, MBRF launch online learning initiative for Arab countries
    September 27, 2023
    Egypt Post invests in Roaderz platform to enhance e-commerce, delivery services
    Egypt Post invests in Roaderz platform to enhance e-commerce, delivery services
    September 27, 2023
    GAFI to grant 45 more golden licences to boost investment
    GAFI to grant 45 more golden licences to boost investment
    September 27, 2023
  • Politics
    PoliticsShow More
    Egypt’s Irrigation Minister highlights climate challenges for water sector
    Egypt’s Irrigation Minister highlights climate challenges for water sector
    September 27, 2023
    CCCPA, Senghor University join forces for African peace, development
    CCCPA, Senghor University join forces for African peace, development
    September 27, 2023
    Arab League chief urges more funding, investment for food security
    Arab League chief urges more funding, investment for food security
    September 27, 2023
    Egypt denounces Houthi attack on Bahraini forces in Saudi Arabia
    Egypt denounces Houthi attack on Bahraini forces in Saudi Arabia
    September 27, 2023
    vPalestine urges international action to end Israeli occupation, crimes
    Palestine urges international action to end Israeli occupation, crimes
    September 26, 2023
  • Interviews
    InterviewsShow More
    Microsoft Egypt aims to provide advanced AI models, build solid AI ecosystem: Mirna Arif
    Microsoft Egypt aims to provide advanced AI models, build solid AI ecosystem: Mirna Arif
    September 18, 2023
    I love privacy, and I am not concerned about competition: Yasmine Sabry
    I love privacy, and I am not concerned about competition: Yasmine Sabry
    September 14, 2023
    Sustainability, digital transformation at the heart of our strategy: Heidelberg Materials Egypt
    Sustainability, digital transformation at the heart of our strategy: Heidelberg Materials Egypt
    September 12, 2023
    India welcomes Egypt's BRICS membership: Boosting trade, investment, and access to strategic commodities
    India welcomes Egypt’s BRICS membership: Boosting trade, investment, and access to strategic commodities
    September 11, 2023
    The box office is not a measure of success: Basma Hassan
    The box office is not a measure of success: Basma
    September 6, 2023
  • Culture
  • Opinion
  • Sports
  • Lifestyle
Reading: Random observations on Egypt’s referendum
Share
Notification
Latest News
Genetically engineering associations between plants and nitrogen-fixing microbes could lessen dependence on synthetic fertilizer
Genetically engineering associations between plants and nitrogen-fixing microbes could lessen dependence on synthetic fertilizer
Science
Earthworms contribute to 6.5% of global grain production, says new research
Earthworms contribute to 6.5% of global grain production, says new research
Science
Researchers build and test a framework for achieving climate resilience across diverse fisheries
Researchers build and test a framework for achieving climate resilience across diverse fisheries
Science
Egypt to issue new bonds for climate, social goals
Egypt to issue new bonds for climate, social goals
Business
Saudi Public Investment Fund eyes stake in Palm Hills Development
Saudi Public Investment Fund eyes stake in Palm Hills Development
Business
Aa
Aa
DailynewsegyptDailynewsegypt
  • Home
  • Business
  • Politics
  • Interviews
  • Culture
  • Opinion
  • Sports
  • Lifestyle
  • Home
  • Business
  • Politics
  • Interviews
  • Culture
  • Opinion
  • Sports
  • Lifestyle
Have an existing account? Sign In
Follow US
  • Advertise
© 2023 DNE News. All Rights Reserved.
Dailynewsegypt > Blog > Opinion > Random observations on Egypt’s referendum
Opinion

Random observations on Egypt’s referendum

Mohamed Fouad
Last updated: 2014/01/18 at 6:34 PM
By Mohamed Fouad 4 Min Read
Share
Dr Mohamed Fouad
SHARE
Dr Mohamed Fouad
Dr Mohamed Fouad

On Wednesday, as the polls closed and results started pouring in, a big step in Egypt’s transitional roadmap was concluded. While it was a no brainer that the constitution was going to be overwhelmingly ratified by popular vote, the actual results of the referendum deserve to be analysed carefully, as they do paint a picture of the Egyptian political landscape. While official results have not yet been announced as of this moment, we will aim to provide some observations on this event in light of the preliminary results at hand.

A key determinant of the success of the referendum was always going to be the turnout rather than the actual percentage of Yes votes. To secure some sort of a mandate, Egypt army-backed transitional government needed to get a turnout which supersedes that of the December 2012 referendum, held under the rule of then President Mohamed Morsi. While some cast doubt on how many people actually went to the polls and others exaggerated the figures, it remains clear that participation rate was somewhere between 35-38% of registered voters which is 10-20% more people than those who voted last time. The turnout per governorate landed anywhere between 20% at the low end in places like Matruh to over 50% in places like Menufiya. The large majority of governorates had more turnouts in 2014 than 2012.

While people may have fancied an overall turnout that exceeds 50%, this remains a pipedream for a simple reason: logistical challenges are a real problem in Egypt, and unlike parliamentary and presidential elections, on-ground mobilisation, which includes shuttling of voters to polling stations, especially in rural areas, does not take place. So, overall, it is fair to say that the current turnout is monumental in comparison to both the 2011 and 2012 referendums.

Somewhere on social media, a myth has started circulating that youth participation was largely absent from the current votes. With no credible exit polling data in place, it is virtually impossible to either corroborate or refute this claim.

Claims of foul play have also quickly circulated regarding the preliminary lopsided results of the referendum. Tom Gara of the Wall Street Journal called it “old school”, referring to the Mubarak-era vote rigging. The Muslim Brotherhood-led legitimacy alliance accused authorities of the same thing. The reality on the ground suggests that despite the heavy media push for a Yes vote ahead of the referendum, the actual voting process was carried out in a fair and organised fashion. Several monitoring organisations, including the Egyptian organisation Shayfencom, have asserted that the process has gone smoothly with virtually no irregularities.

Looking ahead, the political chatter suggests that presidential elections will come ahead of the parliamentary election. All eyes now are on Army Chief General Al-Sisi, who is expected to make an announcement regarding his intentions to run for the election. The results of the referendum indicate, by and large, that if he chooses to run, not only will he win, but he will potentially run uncontested.

You Might Also Like

Al-Sisi rejects claims of militarising teachers

Egypt invests trillions in infrastructure to boost economic future: Al-Sisi

Opinion| Switzerland, a reliable partner of Egypt in a changing world

Egypt plans to sell stakes in AlexBank, Vodafone, and other assets by June 2024

Egypt, Sudan, and Ethiopia resume talks on GERD in Addis Ababa

TAGGED: Al-sisi, constitution, Daily News Egypt, DNE, Dr mohamed fouad, Egypt, politics, referendum, voting
Share this Article
Facebook Twitter Email Print
By Mohamed Fouad
Mohamed A. Fouad is a global expert on service quality as well as a political and social activist
Previous Article Egyptians’ lives: Between reality and fantasy
Next Article A referendum caught between supporters and traitors
1 Comment

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Ad image
Ad image

Stay Connected

Facebook Like
Twitter Follow
Instagram Follow
Youtube Subscribe

Latest News

Genetically engineering associations between plants and nitrogen-fixing microbes could lessen dependence on synthetic fertilizer
Genetically engineering associations between plants and nitrogen-fixing microbes could lessen dependence on synthetic fertilizer
Science
Earthworms contribute to 6.5% of global grain production, says new research
Earthworms contribute to 6.5% of global grain production, says new research
Science
Researchers build and test a framework for achieving climate resilience across diverse fisheries
Researchers build and test a framework for achieving climate resilience across diverse fisheries
Science
Egypt to issue new bonds for climate, social goals
Egypt to issue new bonds for climate, social goals
Business
//
Egypt’s only independent daily newspaper in English. Discuss the country’s latest with the paper’s reporters, editors, and other readers.

Quick Link

  • Home
  • Business
  • Politics
  • Interviews
  • Culture
  • Opinion
  • Sports
  • Lifestyle

Sign Up for Our Newsletter

Subscribe to our newsletter to get our newest articles instantly!

© 2023 DNE News. All Rights Reserved.

Join Us!

Subscribe to our newsletter and never miss our latest news, podcasts etc..

Zero spam, Unsubscribe at any time.

Removed from reading list

Undo
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Lost your password?