Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi won a third term in office, garnering 89.6% of the vote in a landslide victory, the country’s election commission announced Monday.
Sisi’s victory was widely expected, as he was the only candidate with a national platform and a strong campaign machine. His opponents, businessman Hamed Omar, leftist politician Farid Zahran, and former parliament speaker Abdel-Sattar el-Shammaa, were largely unknown to the public.
The election commission said that 66.1% of Egypt’s 67 million registered voters cast ballots, the highest turnout in the country’s history.
Sisi’s victory is a major boost to his political career and gives him a mandate to continue his policies, which have focused on economic development and security.
His opponents have criticized his human rights record, which they say has deteriorated under his rule. They have also accused him of suppressing dissent and rigging the election.
Sisi has denied the allegations, saying that he is committed to democracy and human rights.
