Egypt goes to polls – with little choice

President Abdul Fatah Al-Sisi, Egypt's first self-appointed, and later elected president, is going to the polls on Monday. With little choice to elect another candidate – his rival Moussa Mustafa Moussa has not even bothered to campaign – the world is only watching more the process, than the outcome. Egyptian expatriates who enjoy franchise while abroad have already cast their votes in their countries of residence.

Sisi who stormed into power following a coup and overthrowing the first democratically elected President of Egyptian history, Mohammed Mursi, has been asking the people to give him another term. Although there is no tangible threat to his rule, of late Sisi has shown signs of dictatorial anxiety by arresting opponents, putting heavier restrictions on the media, and even by blocking or driving away possible opposing candidates. During last year, 99 websites that were critical of Sisi were closed down, and journalists who criticized him were put behind bars.

For want of a rival worth the name, Monday's poll is no vote on his performance. Interestingly, the other candidate Moussa's Al-Ghad Party had at one time earlier declared support to Sisi, a fact not denied by Moussa. But Egyptians, who are much used to having little choice in the long tenure of Hosni Mubarak expect few surprises.

Moussa had himself stated that he was offering himself as a candidate, in order not to disappoint the people who come to the booth to see just one candidate. One who had posed a strong challenge to Sisi was former Military chief Sami Anan, but the moment he declared his candidature, Sisi was prompt to arrest him on charges of violating military regulations.

But though this is a foregone conclusion, Sisi did not show any let up on campaigning. He cautioned the people that if any one dreamed of ousting him, as done with dictator Hosni Muharak in 2011, he would be living in fool's paradise.

Although polling is mandatory in Egypt, majority of youth are not interested in the electoral system, and believe that polls will not make any impact on the socio-economic situation of the country. A major section of the population refuses to vote too, with declared boycotts. However, there is a small constituency which supports Sisi who believe that with his election, Egypt will become more stable.