Egypt Elections 2012: Second Day Of Voting In Historic Presidential Poll

Egypt's Second Day Of Voting In Historic Presidential Poll

Egypt is voting for a second day in its historic presidential election, the first such free vote in the country's history.

The vote - held 15 months after the ouster of President Hosni Mubarak - were held in a relatively calm atmosphere on Wednesday, with queues reported at many polling stations.

Turnout appears to be lower on Thursday, according to reports, but more queuing has been reported.

The military council, which took over in the wake of Egypt's 2011 revolution, had promised to hold a fair vote.

In all 13 candidates are standing for election, with most votes said to be going for either Islamist candidates including the Muslim Brotherhood or former figures from the Mubarak regime.

More than 50m people are eligible to vote in the polls, and results are not said to be expected until the weekend.

Egypt still doesn't have a constitution, prompting fears that the new leader may grapple with the powers of the military. Despite this, optimism was apparent as millions reportedly turned out to vote.

"It's a moment when you believe that we are turning a page," human rights activist Gassar Abdel-Razek told the Guardian.

Above: Egyptian presidential candidate Ahmed Shafiq surrounded by protesters and supporters

The main candidates in the election are:

  • Amr Moussa: Formerly the Arab League secretary general and Egypt's foreign minister, Moussa is the main secular candidate in the election. Despite his links to the old regime he has attempted to distance himself from Hosni Mubarak.
  • Ahmed Shafiq: Before briefly serving as Egypt's last prime minister, at the end of Mubarak's regime in March 2011, Shafiq had always been seen as an opposition voice inside the government. He was the minister of civil aviation for nine years.
  • Husam Khayrallah: Democratic Peace Party candidate, a former military official and a face of the old regime
  • Abdallah al-Ashal: A professor at the American University in Cairo, and Mubarak's former Assistant Foreign Minister
  • Abdul Moneim Aboul Fotouh: A moderate former-Muslim Brotherhood candidate, who was suspended from the group after announcing his campaign, he has pledged to increase the country's education and scientific endeavours, and promote investment. He has won support from hardline Islamists and moderates who say he could defuse the country's religious conflict.
  • Mohammad Mursi: As the leader of the Freedom and Justice Party, part of the Muslim Brotherhood, he has said his rule would be based on Islam but would not be a theocracy.
  • Muhammad Salim al-Awwa: Islamit candidate who says his campaign is founded on combatting poverty
  • Hamdin Sabbahi: Nationalist founder of the Al-Karamah Party who uses strong anti-Israeli rhetoric in his speeches.
  • Khalid Ali: The youngest candidate, a left-wing activist and lawyer and a hero for many of Egypt's young people.
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