Former Egyptian military chief Abdel Fattah el-Sisi was officially declared the winner of the country 's presidential election on Tuesday , with election officials saying he won more than 96 % of last month 's vote . His sole opponent , Hamdeen Sabahy , received 3.9 % of the vote , the country 's election commission said . Sabahy conceded defeat last week . Several thousand people in Cairo 's Tahrir Square celebrated Tuesday 's announcement . Fireworks erupted overhead as vendors sold Egyptian flags and balloons marked with Sisi 's face . Military and security personnel watched from the edges as people danced and sang . U.S. President Barack Obama plans to speak with el-Sisi in the coming days , the White House said Wednesday . The United States looks forward to working with el-Sisi `` to advance our strategic partnership and the many interests shared by the United States and Egypt , '' the White House press secretary said in a statement . The election was called amid months of political turbulence that saw Mohamed Morsy -- the country 's first democratically elected president after the ouster of longtime leader Hosni Mubarak -- removed from power in a July military coup . El-Sisi , who was army chief at the time , stepped down from his military post this year to run for president . Though Sabahy conceded defeat , he did n't embrace the process . Allegations were made that his campaign representatives were attacked and detained , and that el-Sisi 's representatives were allowed inside polling stations , Egypt 's state-run Ahram Online news agency reported last week . `` We can not give any credibility or ratification to the announced numbers of turnout or results , '' Sabahy said . `` The announced results are an insult to the intelligence of the Egyptians . '' The White House said while it is pleased that international observers were allowed to participate in the election , `` we also share concerns raised by observation groups about the restrictive political environment in which this election took place . '' `` As Egypt looks toward parliamentary elections later this year , we urge the government to consider the recommendations of the observer groups on ways to improve the administration of future elections , '' the White House said . Can Egypt 's presidential candidates transform economic fortunes ?
Obama plans to speak with el-Sisi `` to advance our strategic partnership '' Election commission : Ex-military chief Abdel Fattah el-Sisi wins with 96 % of the vote . His opponent 's campaign says its representatives were attacked and detained . Score: 6 The announced results are an insult to the intelligence of the Egyptians ''