Amidst Political Strife, Mohamed Morsi Declared President of Egypt

After lengthy and contentious investigations, Egypt announced today that Mohamed Morsi of the Freedom and Justice Party has been elected president with 51.73% of the vote.

The election pitted Ahmed Shafik, former Prime Minister under ex-president Hosni Mubarak, against Mohamed Morsi, a candidate from the Freedom and Justice Party, affiliated with the Muslim Brotherhood.

With both Morsi and Shafik declaring victory after the voting booths closed, Egypt has witnessed weeks of political and social strife. Prior to the announcement, the Presidential Electoral Commission had reviewed 400 election appeals.

The election results come at a critical time in Egyptian politics. The Islamist-led parliament has been dissolved by the Supreme Constitutional Court, and the Supreme Council of Armed Forces (SCAF) gave the military increased power over writing Egypt’s new constitution, determining the country’s budget, and carrying out legislative activity.

According to All Africa, SCAF stressed its neutrality towards Egyptian political parties on Friday and asserted its support for the right to mobilize and protest – albeit in a peaceful manner.

Prior to the electoral announcement, Farouk Sultan of the Egyptian Presidential Elections Commission gave a speech detailing the electoral process. According to the BBC’s live coverage of the announcement, crowds gathered in Egypt’s Tahrir Square, braving the intense heat to hear the results. Others in Egypt and around the world took to Facebook and Twitter to express their anxiety, fears, and expectations.

As Egypt takes the next step in its political transition, the world awaits to witness the results of the country’s first experience with truly democratic elections.