There is a price to be paid for the absence of democracy and for the way that security practices have dominated the system of rule in Egypt, utterly corrupting political life and subjugating it to the social and party elite such that one must either support these power arrangements, along with their decisions and actions, or face oppression, defamation, and being labeled a traitor.  This price was paid by the segments of the population which boycotted the presidential elections.  Indeed, the real meaning behind the elections – the freedom of citizens to choose while believing in the importance of their participation through voting – was squandered once seriousness, competition, and diversity of opinions had disappeared, the way was paved for the candidacy of the former defense minister, and the outcome was known prior to the election itself.