Today they voted...

I have often found myself lucky enough to cast a ballot. Whether it was the first time I did it in Grade 7 during Student Council elections (for myself no less!) to choosing a person from where I live to represent me at the national level. It is something I have taken for granted before, but never again.

We've all done it. Reminded others, or been reminded by them, of the importance to vote. Yes! Today is the day! And then having gone about our day return home only to realise there's about 15 minutes to get to the poll.

Do you go?

I will. Now.

The privelege of being able to walk into a polling station with a piece of plastic that has my picture on it, put my mark on a piece of paper, and then be home before the poll even closes is something I will never take for granted again.

Today, Egyptians voted. Some would argue for the first time in 30 years. Others may say in 60 years. Still others may say never - but I've learned never and forever are very different things to different people. In any event they voted.

They voted despite incredible disorganization that had people waiting hours for the ballots to arrive. They voted despite fear of violence. They voted despite the most confusing electoral system I have had the pleasure of reading about.

And despite some rather intersting and tense moments - a judge has been rumoured kidnapped until the ballot boxes get locks or something like that; a candidate in one of the areas was accused of helping people fill out their ballots (it is hoped he was helping them sift through the up to 135 choices and plus all the other malarky and still allowing them to make their own choices); candiates on all sides stretching campaigning rules - the day went better than I think many had thought and planned for. Sure security was out in full force, but so was the will of the people - best shown by the LOOOOOONG and orderly lines outside the polling station, and even by those willingly signing up to be election monitors on the spot because whoever was supposed to was lost or afraid to come. Being lost...ahem...I mean, late, a common occurence for all walks of life in Cairo.

As the first of two days of voting comes to a close, it is hoped that the long peaceful lines of today will continue tomorrow. That today's peace was a positive first step in tempting even more people to flow into the streets, over to the polling station, all feeling a little more confident in themselves, a little more confident in their country.

If it happens, then I feel assured they are both headed in the right direction.

Oh, and they voted too! Just in case you were wondering.

On the Eve of History

There is a story from nine months ago, when in the midst of the worldwide celebration of the triumph of Tahrir Square, an Egyptian was in an airport going through customs. When the official she was dealing with alerted those around them that she was in fact an Egyptian, everyone, EVERYONE began cheering and congratulating her. As word spread throughout the airport as to what was happening, it is believed the entire airport stopped and cheered. Tears of joy flowed. It was a scene that had never been seen or heard of before. Or since.

So here we sit – the day before elections to determine a parliament that is going to create a constitution to move the country forward. This is the result of those triumphant days in Tahrir Square. It should be a day of excitement and anticipation full possibilities and dreams of a better future to come. Instead, it feels anxious and even dangerous, full of possibilities and dark days ahead.

See in this country, for the past 30 years, people have been so wary of elections that most did not participate. They worried at being in the wrong place at the wrong time. Showing up to a polling station that one group or another had staked as ‘theirs’. Now…no one’s sure. The feeling is everyone wants this to work but no one believes it will. Who, or what, is this underlying sense of helplessness? Not a person I have spoken with wants to see this get ugly, but not a single person believes it can be avoided. Too much history. Too much at stake. Too much.

And yet, this revolution, that started some 10 months ago (but simmering for years before), began with fear, exploded into elation, saw moments of violence and brilliance, and then seemed to build on frustration, continues to inspire many of these same people. The belief that freedom is worth fighting for. The belief that Egypt is capable of so much more. The belief that the will of people will ultimately rule the day. They just don’t seem to believe that tomorrow is the day. Or the next. They are prepared for a long, bloody battle they see as inevitable.

And so I sit here on the eve of this historic day as a somewhat ignorant ex-pat and hope that the impossible will happen. That people will realize the potential of free and fair elections. That people will be able to sift through the dizzying array of candidates and parties – my best guess is 47 parties in some 17 or so coalitions with thousands of candidates running the gauntlet of the political spectrum – and be satisfied with what they choose. That the military will continue to live up to its mandate as the protectors of Egypt, and not the rulers. That when we wake up Tuesday morning, or Wednesday morning, or some morning soon, the Egyptian sun that always shines will shine a little brighter because Egypt has once again set the example of what is possible when the will of the people chooses peace.

We are watching. The world is watching. And we hope we have reason to stand and cheer for Egypt once more.