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04 June 2014 [12:00] - Today.Az


Former Egyptian military chief Abdel Fattah el-Sisi was officially confirmed as Egypt's next president on Tuesday evening, after the country's electoral commission announced that he had won 96.1% of last week's presidential runoff.

Officials claimed that just under 47.5% of Egypt's 53 million eligible voters participated – a respectable turnout that, if true, would compare favourably with the 52% who voted in Egypt's 2012 presidential election.

Accepting the result, Sisi urged Egyptians to work to restore stability and achieve "freedom" and "social justice".

"I look forward to your continued efforts and determination in the coming building phase. You did what you had to do and now it is time to work," he said on television shortly after the official election result was announced.

Turnout was recorded at 47 percent, lower than Sisi had called for, and despite the voting period being extended from two to three days. Sisi's only rival in the election, Hamdeen Sabahi, won 3.09% percent of the vote.

The results, and the swearing in on Sunday, confirm the rise of the retired field marshal who has suppressed Morsi's supporters, promised to restore stability and the economy after three years of turmoil.

Sisi has said it would take 25 years to bring about real democracy, and has spoken out against too many freedoms that cause turmoil, amid an already shrinking space for political activity.


/AzerTAc/



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