Egypt's President el-Sisi wins election for third time

President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi becomes victorious for third time by securing 89.6% of votes

By Web Desk
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December 18, 2023
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi gestures during a political gathering. — AFP/File

President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi of Egypt won his third term as the head of the most populous country in the Middle East, as per an announcement by the officials following the completion of the vote counting in the election that ran between December 10-12.

According to the National Elections Authority, Sisi received 89.6% of the vote on Monday, reported Al Jazeera.

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Following a three-day election, Egypt, the most populous country in the Arab world, closed polls on Tuesday.

The poll, whose outcome was almost certain, happened while Egypt was dealing with a number of difficulties, including the greatest economic crisis the nation has ever experienced and the Israel-Hamas conflict in Gaza, which is a nearby country.

The outcome increased Sisi's hold on power, which he gained following the removal of Mohamed Morsi, the nation's first popularly elected leader, in 2013.

In 2018, he was re-elected. With 97% of the vote, he won both of the prior elections.

In addition to amending the constitution to increase the maximum number of consecutive terms in office from two to three, Sisi expanded the presidential mandate from four to six years.

Despite Egypt's hardships, a ten-year campaign of repression against dissent has eliminated any meaningful alternative to Sisi, the fifth president to emerge from the military since 1952.

Sisi faced competition from three other contenders, none of whom had a prominent presence.

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