The journey to democracy is not an easy one – especially after a 30-year-old dictatorship has just been toppled. Many may have truly believed the fight for freedom in Egypt was won, but the injustice continued on Nov. 19 when the Supreme Council of Armed Forces, whom is in power, began inflicting violence on the Egyptian people.

It became a scene from the early protests in January prior to the ousting of President Hosni Mubarak.

Egypt has been an inspiration to countries like Libya, Yemen, Syria and Bahrain who were next in line as the dominoes of dictators were falling. Egyptians have continued to show the world they will not rest until they get their democracy.

Not only was this recent uprising a battle between the military forces and the people, but people amongst different political parties have began to bump heads as to what type of government Egypt is headed for.

On Nov. 28, Egyptians headed to the polling stations in the first of three phases of the election process. According to an article on Al-Jazeera, some political parties continued to campaign even as the voting was taking place.

“It is difficult to determine at this point how these interests will change the face of Egyptian politics,” said Wendy De Souza, professor of humanities and religious studies.

De Souza said the Muslim Brotherhood, and to a lesser degree, the more radical Islamist groups, will be likely to achieve unprecedented success.

On Friday, Islamist groups had great success in the parliamentary elections. Muslim Brotherhood’s Freedom and Justice Party won 40 percent of the vote, while the Al Noor Salafi Movement came in second with 20 percent of the vote, according to an article on CNN.com.

“Recent protests and clashes with security forces suggest the same popular will that led to Mubarak’s overthrow are committed to seeing through real democratic change,” De Souza said.

The elections are a symbol of this democratic change. If an Islamist party is what the majority of the Egyptian people vote for, then so be it. What can be more democratic than having elections?

According to an article on The New York Times’ website, a top general on the military council said it would choose the prime minister even after parliament was formed. The Muslim Brotherhood, however, will not allow it and wants to exert its influence through parliament.

The future of Egypt is in the hands of the people – where it should be. If the people do not have a say then there is no democracy. The idea that the people have not had a say for 30 years is hard for Americans to grasp because the U.S. has known freedom for decades.

The military council has no right to choose anything. The people want a democratic government; they did not vote for the military council. The council should not have the authority to make decisions. It’s time for the voice of the people to be heard and they should be making the decisions.

According to a CNN article, voters had to cast three votes, two for independent candidates and one for a party or coalition. The military stated official presidential elections will be held by June.

As long as there is a fair election and the people are voting, that’s all that matters. The rest of the world can speculate as to why an Islamist party should not be elected, but the bottom line is the people know what they need and want. They are, for once, given a portal to express their voices and whichever party comes on top is what the people wanted.

Marwa Diaf can be reached at [email protected]