Few, besides the ones that were already content with the Egyptian status quo or the Muslim Brotherhood, are happy with the outcome of yesterday’s elections. Big Pharaoh considers immigrating, sentiment that Sandmonkey reports is being echoed in the country (except from one of his friends that concludes that “Islam is the solution”.)

Perhaps the biggest upset is Ayman Nour’s (the main opponent in last September’s Presidential elections and leader of Al Ghad party) loss to yet another NDP candidate.

Jeramy of Arabia tells of his experience monitoring the elections. Zeinobia also has a cynical perspective.

Movements and attempts to reduce the ruling parties influence like Itharak, The Save Egypt Front, and a banner depicting an X through both a crescent and camel logo (the ruling parties logo’s) with the caption “your voice for opposition” (picture at top) apparently did little to influence the vote in this first round.

For Arabic posts concerning the elections visit Ramy and Digressing.

Abdolkarim Nabil Seliman is a 21 year-old Egyptian student of law at the Azhar University, Damanhour Campus, a women's-rights activist and a correspondent for Copts United.

In addition to writing at Civic Dialogue, he also publishes at a blog he maintains.

On Wednesday 26 October 2005, Egyptian State Security took Abdolkarim from his home, and confiscated hard copies of his writings. He is now on his way to an unknown detention. Three Egyptian bloggers visited Abdolkarim's family. The family attributed the state security raid to his writings, although it was not clear if his blogging is directly related. According to his brother, Abdolkarim's relations with Islamist Fundamentalists in his neighborhood of Moharram Bek, Alexandria, are tense. It is possible that the fundamentalists have filed a security complaint that led to his detention.

More: Committee to Protect Bloggers, Egyptian Blogs, and http://technorati.com/tag/abdolkarim

Update: According to Alaa, both digressing and MalcomeX(Arabic) visited Abdel Karims family to help but Baheyya reports (and Alaa confirms) that he may be in for a tough ride as he was very outspoken against Islam (Arabic).

Update: Abdolkarim emailed another blogger (http://endehash.manalaa.net) telling him how he doesn't fear getting his name published in a survey, as he beleives that the sensitive posts about religion he writes about should not be behind red lines. He also said that he fears the consequences and that he was once attacked by some thugs hired who attemted to beat him.
http://endehash.manalaa.net/kareem [via: Mostafa]

Sandmonkey reports on how the fragmented opposition is uniting in a coalition against the NDP. This coalition is short Al Ghad however; whose leader took a strong second in the previous presidential elections. Ramblefish reports on inter-turmoil at Al Ghad house.

Freedom for Egyptians posts on Mubarak promising free and fair elections though Liberals Against Terrorism and The Arabist Network point to the new ICG report on Egypt to counter such an argument.

Miss Mabrouk mentions a “demonstration for fair and free parliamentary elections … organized by the Muslim Brotherhood's student organization.” though many are skeptical.

A new movement dubbed Itharak.com is geared towards getting out the vote and minimizing the NDP members of parliament. This new site is set up around three main points it encourages all Egyptians, particularly those between 18 and 23 (since they are pre-registered) to endorse:

1/ Go register for a voters card (one of the major obstacles in the last election as you can only apply in November)

2/ Go vote for anyone in this Novembers Parliamentary elections other than the NDP candidate (especially if the candidate is an incumbent).

3/Go get three others to pledge to do the same.

Also banners for Itharak.com are available here.

Word circulated quickly through a network of blogs comprising of both Egyptian and non Egyptian writers. Donations at SharmRelief.com have now exceeded 20,000 LE and a special account has recently been set up in Egypt through the Egyptian Red Crescent to collect local donations as well.

Donations have come from every corner of the globe and here is what a few of the donors had to say.

I rode my bicycle from Jerusalem to Cairo last autumn and spent a lot of time on the Sinai coast, as well as in the desert with Bedouin. I have nothing but happy memories of the kind people I met there, and feel terribly that they have to bear the brunt of this latest stupidity.
-Micah

It's the least I can do in these times for the people involved considering all the friendship they have shown me in my visits. Also coming from London, I appreciate the sense of loss, but understand the need to hold firm and resilient.
-Simon.

Why did I choose to donate? What the terrorists did was evil but there is not much that I can do about their acts. I can't do anything to ease the pain of those who lost a loved one to their evil acts. What I can do is provide a little help so that a poor family doesn't sink as far into poverty due to the loss of the breadwinner for their family.
-Richard

Many have donated time and skill as well. All of the legal advice comes from a New York attorney, Zoss from Zosome made the Banners (which are available here in HTML), renowned plastic surgeon Dr. Nabil Elsahy has signed on to perform three cases to be elected by the Red Crescent and dozens more have volunteered their time and effort to the organization of private fundraisers due in the coming weeks.

Bloggers from Orientalism and Nouri, Expats in Australia and New Haven respectively, to Miss Mabrouk and Athena proudly have the banners up linking to SharmReleif.com.

Karim Elsahy