Mubarak wins election

President Hosni Mubarak was officially declared the victor of Egypt’s first contested presidential elections, but the vote was marred by a lower than expected turnout of 23%.

The low participation reflected widespread scepticism among Egyptians over the government’s claims that the election opens the door to greater democratic reform – and apathy over a vote that Mubarak was certain to win.

Before Wednesday’s election, officials in Mubarak’s ruling party said they hoped at least 30% of the 32 million registered voters would cast ballots. Mubarak, 77, who has ruled Egypt for 24 years, had won a new six-year term with 88.571% of the vote, the head of the elections commission, Mamdouh Marie, said, announcing the final results.