A presidential election in Egypt took place between 26 and 28 May 2014. There were only two candidates, former Egyptian defence minister Abdel Fattah el-Sisi and Egyptian Popular Current candidate Hamdeen Sabahi. The elections came almost a year after the June 2013 protests that prompted el-Sisi to depose Egypt's then-president Mohamed Morsi in a military-led coup. The elections, which were planned to take place for two days were extended to a third day. Official figures showed 25,578,233 voted in the elections, a turnout of 47.5%, with el-Sisi winning with 23.78 million votes, 96.91%, ten million more votes than former president Mohamed Morsi (who garnered 13 million votes against his opponent in the runoff of the 2012 Egyptian presidential elections). The election was held without participation of the Muslim Brotherhood's banned Freedom & Justice Party, which had won every prior post-Mubarak electoral contest.
Presidential elections were set after the Egyptian protests of 30 June 2013, in which President Mohamed Morsi was overthrown, and following the January 2014 Egyptian constitutional referendum. Interim president Adly Mansour announced on 26 January 2014 that the presidential election would be held before the parliamentary election. A five-member commission was formed to monitor the election. The deadline for proposals regarding the elections law was 9 February. The presidential elections law was issued by the president on 8 March.
Abdel Fattah el-Sisi confirmed on 26 March that he will run for president. Sisi submitted 188,930 endorsements (though 500,000 were collected) and is the first candidate to submit all required documentation.
The New Wafd Party stated on 27 January 2014 that it will not nominate anyone for presidency. The Free Egyptians Party announced on 27 April 2014 that it will not nominate any members to presidential elections.Adly Mansour, stated in November 2013 that he will not run. Amr Moussa, who finished fifth in the 2012 presidential election, has stated that he will not run for the presidency. The Nour Party did not nominate anyone for the presidency. Abdel Moneim Aboul Fotouh, who finished fourth in the 2012 election, announced on 9 February 2014 that he will not run. On 13 March, Lieutenant General Sami Anan announced he will not run for president. Khaled Ali, a labor lawyer and former presidential candidate, withdrew his candidacy on 16 March after the passage of the presidential elections law, describing the election as a "farce" while also urging el-Sisi not to run and the army to stay out of politics. Ahmed Shafiq, who finished second in the 2012 presidential election, losing to Mohamed Morsi, announced on 20 March that he will not run for president. Murad Muwafi, who is the former director of Egyptian General Intelligence, announced on 30 March that he would not run for president. Lawyer Mortada Mansour announced on 6 April that he would run for president, though on 19 April, he announced his withdrawal from the election and directed his support toward Sisi. News presenter Bothaina Kamel announced on 12 April that she would run, but she couldn't collect the required endorsements to run. A movement called Taharor had launched, in coordination with the Constitution Party and with the 6 April movement, a nationwide campaign to collect 50,000 signatures in favor of Mohammed ElBaradei running for the presidency. Another campaign, called Authorize El Baradei, also started in order to gain endorsements to convince ElBaradei to run for the presidency. However, ElBaradei was ultimately not a presidential candidate.
A movement called Finish Your Favor has claimed to have collected 26 million signatures asking el-Sisi to run for president. The Revolutionary Forces Bloc will back el-Sisi for president. Tamarod has supported el-Sisi as has the Arab Democratic Nasserist Party and the Misr Balady front. The Moderate Front, which is a group made up of former jihadis, ex-members of the Muslim Brotherhood and ex-al-Gama'a al-Islamiyya members, has supported el-Sisi. The New Wafd Party announced their support for Sisi on 7 April. The Free Egyptians Party announced on 27 April 2014 that it would back el-Sisi. The Nour Party announced their support for Sisi on 3 May. The Tagammu Party and Conference Party announced on 4 May 2014 that they would back el-Sisi for president. Moussa has stated that el-Sisi is the most qualified candidate for the presidency. Ex-President Hosni Mubarak has stated in a phone interview that Egyptians should back Sisi, though Mubarak's lawyer has disputed the idea that Mubarak has commented about Sisi's candidacy. In that same interview, Mubarak criticized Sabahi, claiming that he is "not fit" to be president. Anwar Sadat and Saad el-Shazly's families also backed el-Sisi. The Egyptian Patriotic Movement announced on 13 May that it would support Sisi. The Strong Egypt Party, headed by Aboul Fotouh, has opposed el-Sisi's candidacy. Sabahi has criticized the possibility of having someone with a military background become the next president, arguing that such an outcome would run counter to the goals of the Egyptian revolution. He also has expressed doubt about Sisi's commitment to democracy, has argued that the Field Marshal bears a measure of direct and indirect responsibility for the human rights violations carried out during the period of the interim government, and has denounced what he deems to be the interim government's hostility toward the goals of the revolution. The Road of the Revolution Front, the Constitution Party, both wings of the April 6 Movement and the Anti-Coup Alliance have opposed Sisi's election bid. The 6 April movement has opposed Sisi's candidacy on the grounds that it would further exacerbate polarization and division. A social media campaign against Sisi's candidacy has arisen. Shortly after Sisi's announcement to run for the presidential elections, some social media users in Egypt and the Arab world responded to Al-Sisi's presidential bid announcement with a viral hashtag ("vote for the pimp") that swept Twitter, Facebook, and other social media platforms. The Revolutionary Socialists have issued a statement delineating their position toward the election which criticized state institutions supporting Sisi, described Sisi as the "leader of the counter-revolution," and vowed to "expose el-Sisi's illusions and to destroy the idol which Mubarak's state is erecting as it rebuilds itself." Six political movements, including the Road of the Revolution Front, both wings of the 6 April movement, the Revolutionary Socialists, Hakemhom, and the Students Resistance movement have joined together to create an anti-Sisi campaign called "Against You."
Two co-founders of Tamarod (Hassan Shahin and Mohamed Abel Aziz) have been suspended from the organization after announcing their support for Hamdeen Sabahi in his presidential bid. Other leading Tamarod members, numbering around 50, have issued a statement expressing support for Sabahi. The Revolution's Candidate campaign has begun to promote Sabahi following his confirmation that he will run in the election. The Popular Current has officially supported Sabahi for president, The Constitution Party has announced its official support for Sabahi after polling its members over potential positions to take toward the election. The Socialist Popular Alliance Party announced on 25 April 2014 that it will support Sabahi. The Dignity Party previously stated that it will support Sabahi. The Revolutionary Socialists announced on 27 April that they will support Sabahi. The Justice Party declared its support for Sabahi on 28 April. The Brotherhood Without Violence movement has also backed Sabahi. The Freedom Egypt Party has announced its support for Sabahi.
The Kefaya Movement will not back a candidate. After holding an internal vote over the question of what position to take toward the presidential election, the Egyptian Social Democratic Party has decided not to officially back any candidate. The 6 April Democratic Front has declared that it will let members decide whether to support Sabahi or boycott the election.
A September 2013 Zogby Research Services opinion poll found that 46% of Egyptians expressed "confidence" in Abdel Fattah El Sisi while 52% were "not confident" in the general. The same poll showed 44% exhibiting "confidence" in former president Mohamed Morsi and 55% as being "not confident" about the deposed leader. The Zogby poll reported 39% as "confident" in interim president Adly Mansour while 58% were "not confident" in him. A poll conducted by Baseera in February 2014 indicated that 51% of those polled would vote for el-Sisi, while 45% are undecided about who to vote for and 1% plan to cast their vote for Sabahi. 2,062 people were polled by the Egyptian Center for Public Opinion Research (Baseera) in all of the governorates of Egypt from 27 February 2014 to 4 March 2014 via mobile and landline calling. Another poll, also conducted by Baseera, indicated that 39% would vote for El-Sisi, while 59% are undecided and 1% indicated that they would vote for Sabahi. The poll was conducted by contacting 2,034 people 18 and older who were contacted through land line and mobile phones throughout all of Egypt's governorates from 24 March until 26 March. Another poll taken from 28 April until 2 May indicated that 72% supported Sisi, while 2% support Sabahi. A poll by the Ibn Khaldun Center for Development Studies found that 84% of those who responded would support Sisi, while 16 would support Sabahi. Another poll by Baseera conducted from 10 May to 11 May that polled 2,000 people found that 75% have said that they will vote for Sisi, while 2% will vote for Sabahi and 15% are undecided. 87% of people who responded said that they will vote.
Opinion polls in Egypt are, however, unreliable, having failed to predict the outcome of the 2012 presidential elections.
The second day of the elections was declared a public holiday to encourage people to vote and the voting was extended until 10pm. By the end of the second day, the elections committee decided to extend voting to 28 May. While some attribute the low turnout to earlier calls by the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt to boycott the elections, others see it as a reflection of the popularity of Abdel Fattah el-Sisi.
The official publication date for the results was due to be 5 June, in memory of the Six-Day War's beginning, in which Egypt was at war with Israel. However, earlier on 3 June, Judge Anwar El-Assi announced the following final official results: 25,578,233 voted in the elections, a turnout of 47.5%, with el-Sisi winning with 23.78 million votes, 96.91%. Hamdeen Sabahi got 757,511 of the votes, 3.09%.
Grand Imam of al-Azhar Ahmed el-Tayeb and the Pope Tawadros II sent a congratulation cable to el-Sisi. ُEgypt's top football clubs Al Ahly SC and Zamalek's board of directors also sent el-Sisi cables. The leading Egyptian journalist and author Mohamed Hassanein Heikal congratulated Sisi and expressed through his Twitter account his wishes for el-Sisi. The Egyptian minister of defense Sedki Sobhi in the name of the Egyptian Armed Forces congratulated el-Sisi.
The presidential election loser Hamdeen Sabahi called el-Sisi to congratulate him and wished him luck expressing his trust that he would succeed.
23x15px UN — The United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon congratulated el-Sisi, saying that he puts his faith in Egypt's president-elect and trusts that he will do everything possible to support the Egyptian people's aspirations for a "stable, democratic and prosperous Egypt."
23x15px EU — The European Union extended congratulations to el-Sisi saying the conclusion of elections "marks an important step in the implementation of the constitutional roadmap towards the transition to democracy in Egypt".
23x15px Arab League — The Arab Parliament speaker Ahmed Ben Mohamed Jarwan congratulated el-Sisi in a congratulatory cable wishing luck to the new leader to meet the expectations of the Egyptian people.
23x15px Russia — Shortly after the initial results appeared, before the final results, president Vladimir Putin called el-Sisi to congratulate him in what he described as "convincing success", he also agreed to hold top official meetings and encourage mutual relations between the two countries in the forthcoming period. The Patriarch of Moscow and all Rus' Kirill also has congratulated el-Sisi on winning the election.
23x15px United States — A White House statement from 4 June 2014 said the US "looks forward to working with Abdelfattah al-Sisi, the winner of Egypt's presidential election, to advance our strategic partnership and the many interests shared by the United States and Egypt."
23x15px Saudi Arabia — King Abdullah ibn Abdilaziz sent a cable of congratulation Al-Sisi describing the day as a "historic day," and vowed to continue support for Egypt saying "In this day of history and in a new stage of the march of Egypt, a country of true Islam and Arabism, I have the pleasure to congratulate you on the kind confidence bestowed on you by the people who entrusted you to carry their hopes, aspirations and dreams for a better future," King Abdullah also called on countries to attend a donors conference for Egypt warning "any able country failing to contribute to help Egypt would have no future place among us."
23x15px UAE — The Emirati president Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan sent el-Sisi a cable of congratulation saying: "Congratulations on the precious trust given to you by the brotherly people of Egypt in facing the challenges they are experiencing, and to achieve their aspirations and ambitions in stability, development, progress, prosperity, pride and dignity." Sharjah ruler Sultan bin Mohamed Al-Qasimi, Deputy ruler Ahmed bin Sultan Al-Qasimi, crown prince of Sharjah Sheikh Sultan Bin Muhammed Al-Qassimi, Sharjah debuty ruler Abdullah bin Salem Al-Qassimi also sent Sisi congratulation cables.
Template:Country data Kuwait — The Kuwaiti government chaired by His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah congratulated el-Sisi and wished him luck in restoring security and stability nationwide, His Highness the Amir Al-Jaber Al-Sabah participated in Al-Sisi's inauguration ceremony in Cairo.
Template:Country data Jordan — King Abdullah called el-Sisi to congratulate him, he also attended his inauguration in Cairo vowing more support to Egypt.
23x15px Palestine — The Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas called el-Sisi to congratulate him describing his victory as "a victory for the Arab and Palestinian cause".
Template:Country data Israel — Both the Israeli president Shimon Peres and the prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu called el-Sisi to congratulate him, they described his win as "sweeping victory in a democratic transparent atmosphere", they also expressed their certainty that el-Sisi would take Egypt to the position it deserves based on his background as a fighter soldier and a great leader seeking his country's sublimity.
23x15px Qatar — Qatar's emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani sent a cable to el-Sisi congratulating him.
23x15px Turkey — The Turkish president Abdullah Gül sent el-Sisi a message congratulating him saying he had no doubts that the deep-rooted relations between Turkey and Egypt would continue, and sent his best wishes for the peace, stability and well-being of the Egyptian people. The Turkish prime minister Erdogan dismissed the congratulatory message saying such messages are "meaningless."
23x15px Nigeria — The Nigerian president Goodluck Jonathan sent el-Sisi a cable congratulating him urging him to "fully dedicate himself to ending years of political turmoil in the north African country by working diligently for national reconciliation, peace, political stability and socioeconomic development,".
23x15px Italy — The Italian foreign minister Federica Mogherini sent el-Sisi a cable congratulating him saying that Italy considers Egypt as a strategic partner to face common threats in the region.
23x15px China — The Chinese president Xi Jinping has congratulated el-Sisi on his election as Egypt's new president saying that China is willing to make joint efforts with Egypt to further promote the traditional friendship between the two peoples, and to cement their mutually beneficial cooperation in various fields so as to advance the China-Egypt strategic cooperation.
23x15px UK — British foreign secretary William Hague congratulated el-Sisi saying that Britain is looking forward to working with El-Sisi's government on strengthening the "broad and productive relationship between both our peoples."
23x15px Syria — The Syrian president Bashar Al-Assad sent el-Sisi a cable congratulating him.
23x15px Algeria — The Algerian president Abdelaziz Bouteflika sent a cable addressing el-Sisi as Mr. President and "my dear brother" wishing him best of luck regarding his duty.
23x15px Yemen — The Yemeni president Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi sent el-Sisi a cable wishing him the best of luck and expressing his sureness that Egypt led by el-Sisi would be supporter for the Arab cause.
23x15px Sudan — The Sudanese president Omar al-Bashir called el-Sisi wishing him the best of luck for Egypt to restore the stability.
23x15px Namibia — The Namibian president Hifikepunye Pohamba sent el-Sisi a cable wishing that electing him would restore stability and peace to Egypt.
23x15px Morocco — The Moroccan king Mohammed sent el-Sisi a cable wishing him luck in his supreme mission.
23x15px Libya — The president of General National Congress Nouri Abusahmain sent el-Sisi a cable wishing him luck and saying that he is looking forward to co-operate with Egypt for the ambition of Egyptians and Libyans.
23x15px Oman — The Omani sultan Qaboos bin Said al Said sent el-Sisi a cable wishing him success in achieving Egyptians ambitions.
Template:Country data Iraq — The Iraqi prime minister Nouri al-Maliki sent el-Sisi a cable hoping that electing el-Sisi would mark a first step towards restoring stability in Egypt.
23x15px Lebanon — Acting president Tammam Salam sent el-Sisi a cable congratulating him.
23x15px France — French foreign minister Laurent Fabius expressed his congratulations to el-Sisi in a phone call with the Egyptian Foreign minister Sameh Shoukry.
23x15px Bolivia — The Minister of National Defense of Bolivia Rubén Saavedra Soto handed over a congratulation message for el-Sisi to Egyptian envoy to meetings of the G-77 Summit.
23x15px Venezuela — The Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro sent a cable congratulating el-Sisi and saying that he is looking forward to co-operating with Egypt to "strengthen the historical relations between the two countries".
23x15px Germany — The German president Joachim Gauck sent a congratulatory telegram to el-Sisi congratulating him on his inauguration as president, he also stressed on the outstanding role of president Sisi in uniting Egyptians together. He also affirmed on the importance of cooperation based on the partnership between Egypt and Germany.
23x15px Singapore — The Singaporean president Tony Tan Keng Yam has written el-Sisi a congratulatory message offering "warmest congratulations". saying "Your assumption of office will mark the completion of an important phase of Egypt's political transition," he wrote, in a letter released to the media on Friday (6 June). Dr Tan says Singapore stands ready to help, as Mr El-Sisi attempts to steer Egypt "back onto the path of stability and prosperity".
Template:Country data Iran — The Iranian president Hassan Rouhani has congratulated el-Sisi, the Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for Arab and African Affairs Amir Abdollahian attended the inauguration ceremony of el-Sisi in Cairo.
23x15px Bahrain — King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa sent a cable to el-Sisi wishing him success in assuming his presidential duties to meet his people's aspirations and ambitions, achieve further progress and prosperity and consolidate security and stability. "We are looking forward to attending your inauguration, fully confident in your ability to achieve stability, progress and prosperity and lead Egypt to assume its strategic and pivotal regional role in championing Arab and Islamic causes," he added.
23x15px Ethiopia — The Ethiopian president Mulatu Teshome sent a congratulatory message to el-Sisi stressing the historical ties of friendship between the two countries and looked forward to strengthening this relation the future. The Ethiopian foreign minister attended the inauguration of el-Sisi.
23x15px Gambia — A Gambian official delegation headed by The Gambia's Secretary General and Minister for Presidential Affairs Momodou Sabally attended the ceremony of Sisi's inauguration in Cairo.
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^ a b c "Poll: Older generations and those less educated more likely to support Sisi". Mada Masr. 14 May 2014. Retrieved 14 May 2014.
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^ "الأهلى يهنئ السيسى برئاسة الجمهورية".
^ ""هيكل" يهنئ "السيسي" لفوزه في الانتخابات الرئاسية".
^ a b "Putin and Abu Mazen congratulate Al-Sisi".
^ "بطريرك "موسكو" يهنئ "السيسى" لفوزه فى الانتخابات الرئاسية".
^ "Saudi king hails Sisi's 'historic' election win".
^ "Sheikh Khalifa congratulates Egypt's El Sisi on win".
^ "بوتفليقة يهنئ السيسي بالنتائج الأولية لانتخابات الرئاسة".
^ "Iranian Deputy FM Attends Sisi's Swearing-In Ceremony".
^ "Nidaa Tounes Congratulates Sisi for Egypt Election Win".
^ "El-Sisi receives Gambian delegation in Cairo".
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