Egyptians Snap Photos Of Empty Poll Booths
So few people have come out to vote in Egypt's election that vacant polling stations have become a thing.
Photos like this appeared across Egyptian Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram accounts Tuesday, as it became clear how few people were voting for the country's next president as initially expected.
This is just how happy people are to take advantage of the day off PM Mehleb gave them to go vote. #egyptelections
Amr Kotb@AmrQotbFollow
This is just how happy people are to take advantage of the day off PM Mehleb gave them to go vote. #egyptelections
10:58 AM - 27 May 14RetweetFavorite
Despite Egyptian officials announcing a third day of voting and declaring a national holiday, complete with free public transportation, the polls were noticeably empty.
In my area, empty voting station, more people across street at falafel store. #Alexandria #Egypt #EgyElections
Amro Ali@_amroaliFollow
In my area, empty voting station, more people across street at falafel store. #Alexandria #Egypt #EgyElections
1:40 PM - 27 May 14RetweetFavorite
Some people had to resort to creative means to get out the vote.
Egyptian writer urges women to abstain from having sex with their husbands till they go vote!
Ahmed Ateyya @AteyyaFollow
Egyptian writer urges women to abstain from having sex with their husbands till they go vote!
10:55 AM - 27 May 14RetweetFavorite
A few one-man dance parties happened, but they were a bit lonely.
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Some couldn't help notice the difference between the last elections in 2012, when voter turnout was at 46 percent in the first round.
Another nearly empty poll in Mohandiseen. Saw a line around the block here in 2012. Officer says many voted y'day.
Jared Malsin@jmalsinFollow
Another nearly empty poll in Mohandiseen. Saw a line around the block here in 2012. Officer says many voted y'day.
10:16 AM - 27 May 14RetweetFavorite
This year, voters complained about the lack of a real campaign between the two candidates, Hamdeen Sabahi and Abdel Fattah el-Sisi. “We vote and vote and this country keeps getting worse and worse. So now I say, no more voting,” said one woman.
لجنة في المنيرة مفيهاش ولا نفر
الأخت آية@ayaabdullahFollow
لجنة ÙÙŠ المنيرة Ù…Ùيهاش ولا Ù†Ùر
8:39 AM - 27 May 14RetweetFavorite
Some worry that Egyptian officials would inflate the number of voters, but monitoring groups said that they had been allowed to observe the elections freely.
Election committees empty and Egyptian government newspapers says millions of voters. #Egypt #Anticoup #R4bia
Mo3tZ@Moataz_ELgamlFollow
Election committees empty and Egyptian government newspapers says millions of voters.
#Egypt #Anticoup #R4bia
2:18 PM - 27 May 14RetweetFavorite
TV crews and journalists struggled to find voters – or boycotters – who could speak about what will happen next in Egypt. Most agreed that Sisi, who is widely expected to win the vote, will not be entering office with the mandate he had hoped for.
الصحفيين في انتظار الناس
Amna Gad@AmnaGadFollow
الصØÙيين ÙÙŠ انتظار الناس
9:46 AM - 27 May 14RetweetFavorite
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Sheera Frenkel is a cybersecurity correspondent for BuzzFeed News based in San Francisco. She has reported from Israel, Egypt, Jordan and across the Middle East. Her secure PGP fingerprint is 4A53 A35C 06BE 5339 E9B6 D54E 73A6 0F6A E252 A50F
Contact Sheera Frenkel at sheera.frenkel@buzzfeed.com.
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