Actor mocks Egyptian presidential election

Well-known Egyptian actor Adel Imam has mocked the turnout in the latest presidential election in his country. Nicknamed “El Zaeem” (the leader), he wondered who else had voted when he turned up to register his own vote.

“Is there no one else but me or what?” asked Imam, 77, while voting at a primary school in the Dokki district near the capital, Cairo. When asked by the election official what he meant, he replied, “Nothing.”

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The election process started on Monday and ends today. Voters have been thin on the ground, with international monitors noting a significant decline in turnout, despite threats to fine those who boycott the poll.

Journalists close to Al-Sisi have acknowledged the small number of voters in an election which lacks any sense of genuine competition. Al-Sisi is expected to “win” a second term in office, which would end in 2022. The formal result will be made public on 2 April by the National Electoral Commission.