“Vote,” “Participate,” “Stand by your country,” were the words directed in the video to Egyptians – Photo compiled by Egypt Today/Mohamed Zain
CAIRO – 28 March 2018: Many celebrities have expressed the importance of voting in the 2018 presidential election, and have urged more people to cast their votes, raising some debates whether their calls would impact people's decision making or not.
More than 13,500 polling stations have opened for about 60 million eligible voters to cast their ballots for three consecutive days. Voting started on Monday, and today is the last day the polls are open.
Egyptian singer, Hakim, launched an election march in 6th October streets to urge Egyptians to get out to the polls and vote-Official Facebook page
Since the beginning of the election, Egyptian actors such as Samira Ahmed, Hala Sedki, Yousra, Lebleba, Nabila Ebeid, Sherif Mounir and Mohamed Henedi have cast their votes on the first and second days, stressing that participating in the election is considered a national duty. Egyptian singer Hakim launched an election march in 6th October streets to urge Egyptians to get out to the polls and vote.
Some people were encouraged by their calls and the national songs such as Hakim’s “Abu el-Rugula”, translated to “Father of Manhood”, and “A’alo Eh”, translated to "What did they say?" This was shown when Egyptians stood in front of polling stations and sung these songs in a revival of the patriotic spirit, all while showing inked fingers.
However, others have not been influenced by the celebrities’ calls to vote. “For me, public figures should have a positive role and encourage people to vote for the country’s interests, but they should not influence the opinion of others,” Mira Milad, 23, said.
Milad added that public figures influence her when they call for improving the lives of others by donating to charities or putting an end to a negative habit in the society.
“I was not influenced by any of the celebrities’ call to vote in the election. I also do not think they should publicly encourage or promote voting because they should not use their influence and popularity to influence one’s personal decision to vote or not,” remarked 30-year-old Hana Mohamed.
For them, the artists' role should be associated with helping others and ensuring the development of society, as long as they are not biased to a certain entity or person.
In February 2018, many actors participated in the conference held by “Kolina Maak Min Agl Masr” ("We Support You for Egypt’s Sake") association to support President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi, calling on him to run for a second term.
After the 2011 revolution, actors and singers changed their course and started to express political opinions in their work; some of these artists have a great impact on the public, while others were greatly criticized.
Several artists, poets and writers supported the 2011 revolution such as actors Khaled Abol Naga, Asser Yassin and Jehan Fadel, while others such as singer Tamer Hosni and actress Samah Anwar were put on a blacklist for supporting ousted President Hosni Mubarak, as their credibility has been questioned by many people.
The national authority stated that the results of the election will be declared on April 2, adding that the subcommittees will count the ballots directly after voting has ended, and will declare the results to media and civil societies, as well as the representatives of each candidate.
The results that will be produced by the subcommittees will be sent to the plenary committee, which will also declare the results and send them to the National Election Authority.
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