‘Sisi for president’ campaigns get a boost after referendum results

Taking the sweeping majority that the constitution received in the recent referendum as a sign of popular support for Defense Minister Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, more indications and endorsements for a possible presidential bid seem to be pouring in.

The High Elections Commission announced on Saturday that the constitution passed with a staggering 98.1 percent win in the referendum that took place on January 14 and 15. The vote has been seen by many as more than just a mere referendum, as it marks the first official indication of popular support for the removal of former President Mohamed Morsi on June 3, as well as support for Sisi himself, who led the movement that called for support of the roadmap put in place by the interim government.

The AFP reported on Sunday that military officials stated that Sisi had been monitoring the results of the referendum for an indication of support for a possible presidential bid. The sources also told AFP that Sisi is expected to make a final decision now that the results have been announced.

Samuel Ashay, the spokesperson for the “As Big As The World” movement, named after a popular phrase often used by Sisi to express his ambition that Egypt will become “as big as the world”, told Mada Masr that the results of the referendum have given the movement momentum and attracted more supporters.

“The high percentage that the constitution received and the historical turnout have showed that the people are convinced with this demand and that they were able to defeat all the opposition voices. Everyone saw people celebrating outside the polling stations, and they were all holding Sisi banners,” he said.

The Independence Current, a political coalition formed recently, announced today that it would hold a popular conference in the indoor stadium in Nasr City on Monday to celebrate the results of the referendum and to demand that Sisi run in the presidential race.

On Friday, after preliminary results had indicated a high percentage of “yes” votes, the Egypt Is My Country Front held a press conference during which the attendees signed a petition calling on Egyptians to mobilize in the indoor stadium in Nasr City on Tuesday.

The assembly would aim to celebrate “the sweeping victory of the Egyptian people,” in addition to demanding that Sisi to run for office. Among the members of the group are former grand mufti Ali Gomaa and former Minister of Interior Ahmed Gamal Eddin.

Mahmoud Khalaf, military expert and a member of the front, stated during the conference that uniting behind Sisi has become necessary “after the dangers and plots being weaved against Egypt have become apparent for all Egyptians,” adding that Egyptians have now reached a level of unity and nationalism similar to what they experienced in times of war.

London-based newspaper Asharq Al-Awsat reported on Sunday that two security sources stated that Sisi has decided to announce his bid for presidency next Saturday, on the anniversary of January 25 revolution. The sources also told the news outlet that they had advised Sisi to announce his bid for presidency earlier.