Hours after the polls opened on the first day of presidential elections in Egypt, state security have already “arrested 20 rioters belonging to the Muslim Brotherhood” in a number of cities and provinces for trying to disrupt the electoral process, including through banditry, as happened in the Sanuras province, or by threatening voters, as happened in the village of Dafnu. In other areas, followers of the Muslim Brotherhood protested and rioted, holding pictures of ousted Brotherhood president Morsi.
Many in Egypt expect more such disruptions from the Brotherhood, including possible acts of terror. On the other hand, the military that ousted and imprisoned many key Brotherhood members, and which has since been targeted, is especially on guard for any potential attacks.
While some may say that the Brotherhood and its supporters are only engaging in such desperate acts because they feel they have been treated unjustly in light of the June 2013 revolution, it should be noted that even before Morsi became president and during the 2012 presidential elections, they also terrorized people into voting the “right” way.
