Despite Gloomy Forecasts, Turnout Rose in Egypt Runoff
Though bloggers had called for sitting out the runoff to protest the poor choice of candidates, and pundits predicted a low voter turnout, Egyptians disagreed, turning out in even greater numbers than they did in the first round of voting, Ahmed Nawar reports. One possible reason: voters found themselves presented with a much clearer choice.
In the same Square in which massive demonstrations toppled former President Hosni Mubarak last year, fireworks, flags and tears came together in equally massive celebrations as Mohamed Morsi was announced the first freely-elected President of Egypt yesterday.
While some rejoiced at the victory of the Muslim Brotherhood's Freedom and Justice Party candidate, others simply let out loud sighs of relief at Ahmed Shafiq's loss, Mubarak's last prime minister.
