Egyptian authorities have announced a third day extension of voting to boost the unexpected low turnout in the first two days. The elections were supposed to be held over 2 days from 26 May to 27 May.
The ACM has confirmed with eye witnesses in Cairo that there has been a marked improvement in the voting process compared to previous election such as a quicker turnaround at the polling booths resulting in fewer crowds.
The controversial extension has led to a flurry of commentary on social media from all sides of the campaign. Many suggest that the low turnout (if confirmed) could be due to a mixture of fatigue, perceptions that the outcome was known and Islamists boycotts. Some are even blaming the heat.
The previous presidential run-off saw over 26 million Egyptians cast their votes in the runoff which brought Muslim Brotherhood president Mohamed Morsi to power. Earlier this year 20 million Egyptians took part in a constitutional referendum in January.
There are 53 Million eligible voters out of an estimated total population of 90 Million.
Check out the latest tweets for Wednesday 28 May 2014 on day 3 from Egypt’s presidential elections from campaigners, journalists, activists and other public figures from Egypt and around the world.
Egyptian conscripts on a lunch break during Egypt’s elections.
Al-Shorouk top headline: The ballot boxes search for voters #Egypt pic.twitter.com/y6YMDLReKR
— Sharif Kouddous (@sharifkouddous) May 28, 2014
First Sabbahi campaign, now Sisi campaign files legal complaint against #Egypt‘s vote extension http://t.co/8Lkz5XQpZV
— Kristen McTighe (@KristenMcTighe) May 28, 2014
Rasha Magdy, the TV anchor who incited against Copts during the Maspero massacre, is on TV calling on Copts to vote in elections. (v @G4S90) — Mina Fayek (@minafayek) May 27, 2014
INTERVIEW – We don’t interfere, only observe: Head EU monitors in Egypt’s presidential poll http://t.co/Yv3tmzFwQy — Ahram Online (@ahramonline) May 28, 2014
Too hot, people fasting, people making mahshi #reasonsforlowturnout @Sarahcarr @LeilaFadel #egyptelections — Sherine Tadros (@SherineT) May 28, 2014
The Sabbahi camp’s belated outrage over the conditions of these elections is a bit hard to take seriously. #Egypt
— Erin Cunningham (@erinmcunningham) May 28, 2014
Here was the world trying to find deep sociopolitical reasons for low turn out. Turns we just leave everything last minute. #egyptthatdeep — Suzy Hanna (@SuzyHanna1) May 28, 2014
@SuzyHanna1 good old ‘Egyptian timing’. A habit that Egyptians migrants hand down to their children as well. #EgyptVotes
— Aus Coptic Movement (@auscma) May 28, 2014
At polling station in middle class Agouza: old woman says couldn’t vote yesterday cause high blood pressure… #Egypt pic.twitter.com/GlOOYjN7L6
— Francesca Cicardi (@FraCicardi) May 28, 2014
One interesting takeaway here is that #Egypt government clearly does not hope to doctor the vote results or feels it can’t get away with it.
— Matt Bradley (@MattMcBradley) May 28, 2014
I have a feeling that these enthusiastic voters support #CC #Sisi #EgyptVotes https://t.co/epBgGuitpE
— Peter Tadros (@PeterTadrosAU) May 28, 2014
Sabahi remains in Egypt’s presidential race despite ‘widespread violations': Campaign http://t.co/Yu1bsjDeWb #Egypt
— Ahram Online (@ahramonline) May 28, 2014
Between Egypt voting for Sisi, and Syrians abroad voting for Assad, today is probably not a happy day at the Qatari foreign ministry. — Gregg Carlstrom (@glcarlstrom) May 28, 2014
In the next elections, I’m voting in the Monofeya electorate. #wherethepartyis
— Suzy Hanna (@SuzyHanna1) May 28, 2014
RT @EgyptianStreets: ‘Democracy International’ slams decision to extend voting in #Egypt, says it undermines election credibility. — Nervana Mahmoud (@Nervana_1) May 28, 2014
Outside of the Nour Party, who is actually mobilizing for Sisi on the ground?
— Samuel Tadros (@Samueltadros) May 27, 2014
Al Jazeera is having a forum in the land of coups where the participants are discussing Egypt’s coup. #Qatar #AJForum — The Big Pharaoh (@TheBigPharaoh) May 28, 2014
This election confirms that Shafiq was best politician in #Egypt. His narrow loss was tragedy for country.
— salamamoussa (@salamamoussa) May 28, 2014
Some reports now coming that #Egypt presidential election commission possibly canceling elections, re-do in a month http://t.co/BZCy0S5AjQ — Kristen McTighe (@KristenMcTighe) May 28, 2014
VIDEO: Egyptian voters take their children to the polling stations http://t.co/wEUzcJv6XQ via @ahramonline
— Ahram Online (@ahramonline) May 28, 2014
‘X’ marks the spot – http://t.co/8pudSc11KA #Copts — Nermien Riad (@NermienRiad) May 28, 2014
Posters for Al sisi and hamdeen on the walls of Al tahreer primary school – mallawy center _ polling station… http://t.co/9uDDfC99lt
— IbnKhaldun (@IbnKhaldun2) May 28, 2014
heavy fire shoots in front of al kawmia school for girls – which made the army forces surround the area -… http://t.co/2UfEepG5Ty — IbnKhaldun (@IbnKhaldun2) May 28, 2014
Unidentified assailants shoot a conscript dead in Egypt’s Rafah http://t.co/PB3hHOJ9FK
— Ahram Online (@ahramonline) May 28, 2014
Guess #Sisi backers woke up grumpy today 2. Difficult 2 accept reality I told them b4 #June30. They’re segment, not majority of #Egypt-ians. — Mohamed Elibiary (@MohamedElibiary) May 28, 2014
To @CNN .. The masters of lies & propaganda, 23 Million #Egyptians have made their vote. Stop spreading lies. You can never ruin our #Egypt
— Sandrine (@Sandrine_Jigsaw) May 28, 2014
To be quite frank, I really don’t see much difference in the inanities uttered by both El-Sisi groupies and revolution groupies. Delusional. — Mahmoud El Lozy (@mahmoudellozy) May 28, 2014
A lesson in spoiled ballots. @TamerELG‘s take on Egypt’s voting jokers. http://t.co/N6v17E8GO0 #Egypt
— Matt Bradley (@MattMcBradley) May 28, 2014
Now it is time for unity against terrorism and towards economic and social progress. #Egypt
— Hany Ghoraba (@Hanyghoraba) May 28, 2014
#BreakingNews: #Sisi campaign claims 88.7% win in northern #Sinai http://t.co/AiJq5d7foK
— Al Arabiya English (@AlArabiya_Eng) May 28, 2014
Lots of firework! People of #Egypt are celebrating! #Sisi
— Jos Hulsker (@jjmhulsker) May 28, 2014
Initial counting shows 96% voted Sisi. #EgyptVotes http://t.co/oybPaVeKN0
— Aus Coptic Movement (@auscma) May 28, 2014
#Egypt election: #Sisi heads for crushing winhttp://bbc.in/1pyYpwG
— BBC Africa (@BBCAfrica) May 28, 2014
Elections were conducted in undemocratic climate but that does not mean votes were forged. Participation rate real and so is Sisi margin
— Samuel Tadros (@Samueltadros) May 28, 2014
Huh! RT @DLachine: Looks like a very long weekend #Egypt pic.twitter.com/My8eHNv9ns
— Nervana Mahmoud (@Nervana_1) May 28, 2014
So far sissi is far ahead with over 90%, then comes void votes at just over 4% followed by votes for Sabahi at just below 4% #egypt
— Sarah El Deeb (@seldeeb) May 29, 2014
#MB obsession with #Copts is intrinsic to their world view. Even outside #Egypt they dislike them more than other Christians.
— salamamoussa (@salamamoussa) May 28, 2014
Dear People of Egypt: U suffered thru hell in the last 3 years. But U won over evil Congratulations to U all Long live Free Egypt #تحيا_مصر
— Leafs Fan (@TorontoBird) May 29, 2014
Filed under 
