An election can generate just about as much tension and excitement as a good football match. And, there is tension in the air as the 2010 parliamentary elections in Egypt draw near. True, there are a host of people sticking their necks out to support the candidates of their choice in true democratic spirit, braving the torment and terror that boldly confronting a dictatorship requires. At the same time, the regime lurks behind the scenes, sending out its forces, and counting the votes like a pervasive Shylock, ready and willing to pounce on their all-too-willing victims whenever required.

But let's face it, the regime has the whole game tied up. It has over 30 years of experience ramming the Egyptian citizens down and keeping them in their place. Periodic round-ups, consistent injustice and corruption and a general fear and apprehension about authority and the court system prevail. Only at election time do most Egyptians feel free to air their thoughts on who should run their country, why and how. All too soon the game will be over.

So with election time just around the corner, Egyptian people are reacting individually and very differently: there is a mixture of intense frustration, dogged determination to put things right, and boredom, while some even prefer to switch channels preferring to watch a good football game instead of the news, which is confusing at best and consistently desperately sad. Some would interpret the situation as hopeless.

Overall, the elections generate excitement and hope for change but in the background; in the depths of the people's consciousness, they know that the sought after change lies far in the distant future. So why bother? Why suffer through the blatant untruths, injustice and indiscriminate violence? Well, take a look at history and see how change is made. The Egyptian regime might be a very watchful and alert dragon but the opposition – serving as a thorn in its slippery side – may well wear it down, make it lose focus and breathe out its smoky fire that will make the sleepy nations of the world wake up to the reality of the brutality that takes place on a daily basis on the streets of Egypt.

A few are ready to slay the dragon and if and when they succeed, the sleepy – could we say inappreciative - masses  will follow suit and take change to the next level.