Elections countdown: 13 days

President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi was focused on getting out the vote on Monday, as media outlets are predicting low voter turnout in an elections-weary nation.

Voting fatigue

Voting in the first round of the parliamentary elections begins October 17 for Egyptians residing abroad and October 18 domestically. In a televised speech broadcast Monday to commemorate the anniversary of the October 6 War, Sisi reminded the people how it important it was to participate.

But several news outlets, such as Germany’s Deutsche Welle, are saying that a majority of voters — particularly the youth — won’t be casting their ballots this month, as they don’t believe the parliament represents a real vehicle for change.

The London-based newspaper Al-Araby Al-Jadeed conjectured that the country has a severe case of election fatigue. Over the past four years, Egyptians have been asked to vote in seven elections and referendums.

For the Love of Egypt gets a love song of its own

Pop singer and Musicians Syndicate President Hany Shaker has released a new tune dedicated to the pro-Sisi For the Love of Egypt electoral list, the privately owned news site Youm7 reported Sunday.

The video clip for Ya Masr Matkhafeesh (Oh Egypt, Don’t be Afraid) predominantly features flag-waving and tributes to Sisi, alongside violent images of the dispersal of sit-ins supporting ousted President Mohamed Morsi in 2013 branded with the slogan, "No to the return of terrorism."

But despite Shaker’s loving tribute, there might be trouble in paradise for the powerful coalition. Conservative Party head and Cairo district candidate Akmal Kortam has formally withdrawn from the alliance, the list’s coordinator, Brigadier General Sameh Seif al-Yazal, told Youm7 on Monday.

Call of Egypt alliance supports subsidies

The Call of Egypt coalition announced Monday that if elected into parliament, it would oppose subsidy cuts across the board.

Speaking at a campaign conference in Giza on Monday, coalition spokesperson Tarek Zeidan said the alliance would oppose slashing state subsidies on metro tickets, petroleum and other commodities. He added that the coalition stands against the business interests that would like to see a return to the 2010 Parliament — the corruption-plagued legislative assembly that was dominated by members of former President Hosni Mubarak’s National Democratic Party and pro-regime businessmen.