Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi has won a landslide victory to secure a third term in office, taking 89.6% of votes in an election featuring no serious opposition.
The National Election Authority announced the overwhelming win on Monday following three days of voting last week.
Turnout reached 66.8%, higher than the 41% in the 2018 election. Some voters said the conflict in neighboring Gaza encouraged them to vote for Sisi, seen as a source of stability in the volatile region.
In his victory speech, Sisi described the election result as a rejection by Egyptians of the “inhumane war” between Israel and Hamas unfolding next door in Gaza. He called the fighting Egypt’s primary challenge.
Egypt has not allowed Gazans fleeing the devastation to cross the border, even as Israel’s bombardment has left many homeless.
The election took place as Egypt grapples with economic crisis and tries to prevent spillover from the Gaza conflict into the Sinai Peninsula. Critics argued the vote’s result was predetermined given the suppression of any strong opposition.
But state media and authorities strongly pushed citizens to participate. Sisi has presented himself as critical to regional security, an argument that has resonated with allies providing Egypt financial aid.
