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Former military chief Abdul Fattah al-Sisi is heading for a landslide victory in Egypt’s presidential election, according to preliminary results.
He had gained about 90% of the vote after 2,000 of 12,000 polling stations reported their results.
However, turnout was expected to be lower than 45% despite a massive push to get more people to polling stations. Many groups boycotted the vote.
The military-backed authorities had extended voting to a third day in the hope of boosting turnout.
But reports suggested many polling stations were almost deserted yesterday.
Analysts say the low turnout damages Sisi’s authority before he takes office, the BBC reported.
He had aimed to get 40 million of 54 million registered voters to the polling stations, to show that he had the support of the majority of Egypt, but it appears that less than 25 million voted.
Tourism minister Hisham Zaazou said earlier this month that Egyptian tourism would gradually regain its previous high levels following the upcoming elections which will “serve as a turning point” in increasing political stability, as well as enhancing the levels of safety and security over the next few months.
“The challenges facing the Egyptian tourism industry are unique but at the same time it is important to maintain a true picture of the situation in Egypt,” he said.
“Tourist destinations continue to be safe and secure and are still attracting thousands of tourists from around the world on a daily basis. We want to make it known that Egypt is a strategic, safe tourism destination.”
Enhanced security is already in place in the Egyptian Red Sea resort area of Hurghada due to the possibility of terrorist attacks on tourists.
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office issued a warning on Friday which said: “We believe that terrorists continue to plan attacks. Attacks could be indiscriminate and could occur without prior warning.”
Retired field marshal Sisi overthrew president Mohammed Morsi last July.
He has overseen a purge of Morsi’s Muslim Brotherhood movement in which more than 1,400 people have been killed and 16,000 detained.