Egyptian presidential election, 2005

The Egyptian presidential election of 2005, held on September 7, 2005, was the first contested presidential election in Egypt's history. Hosni Mubarak, the incumbent President of Egypt, won a fifth consecutive six-year term in office, with official results showing he won 88.6% of the votes cast. http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20050909/wl_nm/egypt_elections_dc A prominent opposition candidate, Ayman Nour of the Tomorrow Party, is estimated to have received 12% of the vote and Numan Gumaa received 5-7%. Criticism of the election process has centred on the process of selecting the eligible candidates, and on alleged election-law violations during voting. Mubarak was sworn in for his new term on September 27.

Results

Media reports on September 8, based on anonymous statements from election commission officials, stated that preliminary results showed President Hosni Mubarak winning 78% - 80% http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2005/09/08/world/main828234.shtml of the vote and Ayman Nour winning 12%. http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20050908.wegypt0908/BNStory/International/ Gumaa was reported as receiving 5-7%. http://www.arabnews.com/?page=4§ion=0&article=69756&d=9&m=9&y=2005

Related Topics:
September 8 - Hosni Mubarak - Ayman Nour

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Late reports from September 8 placed Mubarak's numbers at approximately 72%, based once again on anonymous sources. http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20050908/wl_nm/egypt_elections_dc

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The official result, that Mubarak won the election with 88.6% of the vote, was announced on September 9, 2005. Detailed results, with results and voting breakdowns by province for 15 of the 26 provinces (not including the largest provinces), were published in Al-Ahram, a state newspaper. http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20050909/wl_nm/egypt_elections_dc The same source states that Nour won 6.2% in the 15 provinces, 20% in the Nile delta province of Buheira, and 16% in Alexandria.

Related Topics:
September 9 - 2005

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Nour Demands Rerun of Election

Following widespread reports of election law violations, Nour immediately demanded a rerun of the election. However, the Presidential Election Commission rejected his request as baseless on September 8, 2005, a decision that cannot be appealed. http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20050908/wl_nm/egypt_elections_dc Nour's campaign manager, Wael Nawara, noted the Nour camp's surprise that the Presidential Election Commission would reject Nour's claims "despite the coverage from the media and the repetitive nature of these complaints." http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20050908/wl_nm/egypt_elections_dc

Related Topics:
Presidential Election Commission - September 8 - 2005

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Long-Term Impact of the Election

While the result of the election appears to be a Mubarak victory, as many expected, another result many noted was a step toward democratization in Egypt, even if it was marred by irregularities.

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International Reaction

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Saud al-Faisal stated that the elections show that Mubarak has democratic intentions and that elections can take place there without harming stability: "The poll that took place in Egypt refutes the case made by those who claim Egypt is unstable and question its march toward the future." http://www.arabnews.com/?page=4§ion=0&article=69756&d=9&m=9&y=2005

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Saudi - Saud al-Faisal

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United States State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said that the United States saw this election as a "historic departure" and the debate during the election process would "enrich the Egyptian political dialogue, certainly for years to come." McCormack also stated that "the Egyptian security services showed discipline in ensuring safety and security" and praised the "relative calm" of Election Day.

Related Topics:
United States - State Department

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However, McCormack criticized the lack of international monitors and the late decision to allow monitors, as well as the lack of media access that prevented opposition candidates from getting their message out. As for election day itself, he stated that "there were reports of some irregularities at polling places in terms of campaign posters or t-shirts being seen at the actual polling place and a variety of other issues." The United States expressed its hope that "the Egyptian Government and the Egyptian people can build upon this positive first step in holding this multi-candidate presidential election and build on the positive experiences, the positive actions in this election, as they look towards parliamentary elections in the fall time and look to addressing some of those issues that I mentioned that were less positive." http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/dpb/2005/52801.htm

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