One cannot blame the unsuccessful presidential candidate Ayman Nour, for his appeals against the state elections, in which he claimed that there had been serious violations during registration and voting. However, we have to blame him for his participation in administration as soon as the last of all election ports were closed. With his thorough objections, he will simply lose his newly gained victory, which has been evident since the launching of the Kifaya movement that has brought Egypt into a new political era.

Nonetheless, Nour”s loss was an expected one. If not attributable to rigging the elections, it is attributable to his being an obscure figure in the political field until recently. It was not easy to promote his name and party within the limited time span. As for President Hosni Mubarak, he is the one whose name has been engraved in the minds of the people for many years; therefore, his defeat was quite an unlikely possibility.

I fail to believe that Nour had ever gone to bed thinking that he would win the elections, even if UN committees had supervised elections. It is almost impossible that Nour would win in such a short time span, in which there was not enough time to propagate his slogans, program, ideas and personality to voters.

What would be most appropriate for Nour would be to issue a statement to all voters and to the public, congratulating people for the elections, admitting his defeat, thanking all those who supported him and greeting the other nine candidates. Above all, he should congratulate President Mubarak for winning the presidential elections and for the grand experience that Egypt witnessed throughout these elections.

Along with the rest of the candidates, Nour had accomplished a historical achievement that had changed the Egyptian law concerning the rights of elections, the framework of administration in the country and the holding of officials accountable. Hence, what Nour has achieved is not defeat, nor is it a victory that Mubarak has gained. The real success is that a system could reform itself and implement new changes even if on a primary basis. Ayman Nour himself had played a significant role in achieving change and redirecting the country onto a new path. This is why Nour should continue on the very same course but from a different approach. There is no more time for political wrangles and what should be sought after now is internal reform within the governmental system.

With his clever slogan and the launch of El Ghad (Tomorrow) party, Nour had succeeded in attracting our attention despite all the mockery that he was subjected to from some people. He had achieved in what others had failed, and that is he had not resorted to violence, to occupying syndicates or even to forming extremist parties.

Nour had won the sympathy of many people; moreover, he was supported by many who were convinced that he is a man of independent and nationalistic thought. His call was based on a simple demand, which he summarized in small yet inspiring words. He simply called for legitimate change. He opened the door for plurality and left the choice for Egyptians themselves to decide whom they want to be their president.

All that which Nour called for has actually been accomplished in a very short time span. Ayman Nour was able to change the realm of Egyptian politics, which is why he should celebrate, and not be preoccupied with appeals and complaints. The elections are over however the next 6 years will unfold interesting and important events.