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.
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