Egypt's presidential election campaign has officially ended as an election committee spokesman said thousands of monitors wouldn't be allowed in polling stations. "We have explained more than once that whoever wants to monitor can do so outside the polling stations," Osama Attawiya said on Sunday. "But monitoring from inside is a right to all the representatives of the candidates." Political activists pushing for the monitoring of the election planned to contest the committee's decision and demand a ruling by Egypt's administrative court allowing the monitors to enter polling stations be enforced. Egypt's government earlier rejected allowing international monitors observe the poll, claiming it infringes on Egyptian sovereignty and is opposed by Egyptians sensitive to their country's colonial past.
The campaign season was a novelty for Egyptians, who had previously only voted at referendums at which they were asked to vote "yes" or "no" for the incumbent. Mubarak has won previous referendums with more than 90% of the vote.
| Gee golly gosh shucks. I'm on the edge of my seat waiting to find out who won... |