Egypt's Presidential Elections

[FAH1223]

Anyone following it? I've just been following the Arabic twitter feeds I get and this is the first article I've read... man, I'm out of the loop with Egyptian politics

Egyptians vote Wednesday in a historic presidential election that pollsters say is too close to call, with a choice of candidates touting radically different visions for the country's future.

No outright winner is expected from the two-day poll, so a runoff is scheduled for June 16-17 between the two top finishers. The winner will be announced June 21.

Four main contenders have emerged from a field of 13 on the eve of Egypt's biggest test yet of its transition from decades of military dictatorship to democratic civilian rule.

Two of the front-runners served under former president Hosni Mubarak and have promised to restore stability and ensure secular rule.

Former foreign minister and Arab League chief Amr Moussa, a liberal who has been a public figure for years, seemed to be leading the pack until the last few days. But recent polls have shown the rise of Ahmed Shafiq, a former Air Force commander and Mr. Mubarak's last prime minister, who enjoys the support of Egypt's powerful military.

The two are running against a pair of Islamist candidates.

Mohamed Morsi, who represents Egypt's powerful Muslim Brotherhood, entered the race late but has benefited from the group's effective political machine, which has campaigned door-to-door.

His rise has come at the expense of the moderate Islamist candidate, Abdel Moneim Aboul Fotouh. A former Brotherhood member, Aboul Fotouh's campaign is geared to a wide range of Egyptian voters, from liberals to hardline Salafi Muslims and Christians.

But analysts say such a broad appeal has grown harder to maintain as rhetoric sharpens on all sides.

Shafiq has risen in the polls by targeting a population frustrated with Egypt's turbulent transition, plagued by violent clashes, an ever-increasing wave of violent crime and an economy in disarray.

Egypt's widespread lawlessness has overshadowed daily life since the revolution that began in January 2011. It is the most prominent issue in the presidential race.

A victory for either of the secularist candidates would mark a significant turn from parliamentary elections just six months ago when more than 70 percent of voters cast ballots for Islamist parties.

The head of Egypt's independent Baseera polling firm told the French news agency that 33 percent of those surveyed on May 16 were still undecided.

http://www.voanews.com/content/egypt-ho ... ampaign=en

[Mondey]

all the candidates are puppets (specially Amro Muusa former arab league chairman) except Ikhwaans and salafis.. im with ikhwaans.

[Executive]

I am with Abdel Moneim Aboul Fotouh or the candiate from Muslim Brotherhood

[Shirib]

Morsi or Abolfotoh, but I'm afraid they're gonna steal votes from each other

[barakaboy10]

i am with mohamed morsy and if he loses, it won't be because people didn't like him but because of Mr. fatouh. i think he should have dropped out of the race and supported mr morsy because both seem to have a similar vision for Egypt. his candidacy will help more people like amr mousa or ahmed shafiq.

in the end, however, i hope one of them wins the election.

[Niya]

The military are well entrenched power in Egypt and I doubt much will change there.
I call this the Falafel elections!

[Arabmann]

The military are well entrenched power in Egypt and I doubt much will change there.

You could be right, though I'm hoping the opposite (MB taking complete power) would happen.

[Alshabaibe]

VIVA MUSLIM BROTHERHOOD. its about time we had a caliphate

[SummerRain]

The military really did some work making everyone believe this will be free and fair elections. They allowed the Islamist to be majority in the parliament so that when the presidential elections came, they would make sure their candidate wins. That's why no Islamist will win the presidency and Egyptians can take it to the streets then be because they will be going against the results of a " democratic" elections.

[jalaaludin5]

I call this the Falafel elections!

Thats what it is.

[grandpakhalif]

Inshallah the military continues to hold power and prevent the terrorist MB from taking over.


(Yes they are terrorists because they murdered former Egyptian president and use coercion and intimidation instead of Islamic teachings to spread their sick idealogy)

[fighter]

Shawarmas....

[FAH1223]

Inshallah the military continues to hold power and prevent the terrorist MB from taking over.


(Yes they are terrorists because they murdered former Egyptian president and use coercion and intimidation instead of Islamic teachings to spread their sick idealogy)

[Shirib]

Inshallah the military continues to hold power and prevent the terrorist MB from taking over.


(Yes they are terrorists because they murdered former Egyptian president and use coercion and intimidation instead of Islamic teachings to spread their sick idealogy)

[jalaaludin5]

Inshallah the military continues to hold power and prevent the terrorist MB from taking over.

I see you and the military think alike. To continue and preserve the biggest concentration camp in modern history; Camp-Gaza. The military will continue doing what they do best which is to assist the state of Israel in every way possible.

The only way the military will relinquish power is when they are certain that who ever takes over Egypt will follow the script hosni mubarak was enforcing right down to a T.

To help maintain the occupation of Palestine.
Keeping the blockade in Camp-Gaza.
Israel ceremonies of lavation, (the killing of Palestinian children).
The unlawful detention of thousands of women and children.
The abuse and torture of Palestinian prisoners.

And the list goes on...

Muslim Brotherhood?...Akhi please!