Egyptian referendum day

I hope everything will go well. But the following report is mildly disturbing, and raises specters of the old regime:

“I just came back from voting and would commend the proper civilized behavior of both, the people and the police; but as I went in, I was shocked with the irresponsible reckless attitude of the judge; I was given a card without a stamp and upon objecting I was given a ruthless response from the lady, and after an argument, she finally threw me a stamped card. I wonder how many votes will be voided due to unstamped voting cards! This is an unacceptable treatment to the honest people who made the effort for the new Egypt, Only to find that their vote is voided.

Voting Location: Al Dokki Girls secondary school at 8:30 am Saturday, March 19, 2011”

And here’s a response to that one:

“My father had a similar incident at Gamal Abdel Nasser school in Mohandesein. The head of the committee there insisted on signing my dad’s signature which will make it legitimate as if it was stamped. That’s absolute nonsense. Please make sure the ballot is stamped.”

This has the making of a hotly disputed result, if this sort of thing is going on.

Just like the old days.

Let’s hope these are isolated incidents.