AhlulBayt News Agency

source : tvnz
Sunday

17 June 2012

9:46:00 AM
322819

Egypt tenses for new president after vote

A second day of voting today will deliver Egypt's first freely elected president, though the country faces renewed tension whether he is a former general from the old guard or an Islamist from the long-suppressed Muslim Brotherhood.

Egyptians must decide between Ahmed Shafik, the last prime minister of Hosni Mubarak, or Mohamed Morsy, a US-educated engineer who spent time in Mubarak's jails and offers Egypt a new start as an Islamic democracy.

"We have to vote because these elections are historic," said Amr Omar, voting in Cairo, who said he was a revolutionary youth activist. "I will vote for Morsy... , we must break the vicious cycle of Mubarak's police state."

A gunfight killed two in Cairo overnight, according to local media. The reports blamed a dispute between street vendors and there was no apparent connection to the vote, which saw little trouble on Saturday despite mutual accusations of fraud. Observers reported only minor and scattered breaches.

It was impossible to forecast who will emerge the winner by Monday - and whoever it is may face anger and accusations of foul play. Both men have widespread support, but many voters may be staying away, disillusioned by a choice of extremes after centrist candidates were knocked out in the first round last month.

Turnout at polling stations in several areas seemed lower on Saturday than during the first round. Polls re-opened at 8am on Sunday (6pm NZT).
"The Egyptian people have chosen freedom and are practising democracy," Morsy said as he cast his vote on Saturday. "The Egyptian people will not back down and I will lead them, God willing, towards stability and retribution."