By Micah Halpern
I've Been Thinking:
Egypt's two day election was extended for a third day. The Presidential Election Commission announced that the ballots would remain open for a third day due to low turnout.
The low turnout should have been predicted.
The reasons are obvious:
# 1: The outcome is clear, so why should people come out to vote.
# 2: People are politically burned out. They have had enough of presidential politics. They want to move on.
# 3: The heat has been blistering.
# 4: There have been, not unexpectedly, boycotts by groups that do not recognize the elections.
In order to secure a better turnout on the third day, one member of the Commission considered applying an old law still on the books. If implemented, Egyptians that do not vote would be fined 50 Egyptian Pounds. That is about $79 US.
Democracy is new to Egypt. Most new democracies are excited about the voting process. Al Sisi and his advisers believe that when more people vote, he will be given a larger and clearer mandate to govern. He is wrong.
Unfortunately, as democracy matures fewer people vote. All that is required is that there be a legal, fair and honest election.
Egypt will soon learn an important lesson about democracy. Most people really do not care. Those who do care are those who come out to vote.
Micah@MicahHalpern.com
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