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Queues as Egypt votes in first post-Mubarak elections Queues as Egypt votes in first post-Mubarak elections
(about 1 hour later)
Queues have formed at many polling stations as Egyptians vote in the first elections since former President Hosni Mubarak was toppled in February.Queues have formed at many polling stations as Egyptians vote in the first elections since former President Hosni Mubarak was toppled in February.
Polling started late in some places because of administrative problems, but officials have now extended voting hours there to midnight local time.Polling started late in some places because of administrative problems, but officials have now extended voting hours there to midnight local time.
At the same time, Cairo's Tahrir Square is still occupied by protesters who want the poll to be postponed.At the same time, Cairo's Tahrir Square is still occupied by protesters who want the poll to be postponed.
The head of the ruling military council has said Egypt is "at a crossroads".The head of the ruling military council has said Egypt is "at a crossroads".
"Either we succeed - politically, economically and socially - or the consequences will be extremely grave and we will not allow that," Field Marshal Hussein Tantawi said in a statement on Sunday."Either we succeed - politically, economically and socially - or the consequences will be extremely grave and we will not allow that," Field Marshal Hussein Tantawi said in a statement on Sunday.
The last nine days has seen a revival of the protest movement which forced Mr Mubarak from office, with hundreds gathered at its hub, in Tahrir Square. The last nine days have seen a revival of the protest movement which forced Mr Mubarak from office, with some days seeing thousands of people gathered at its hub, in Tahrir Square.
At least 41 protesters have been killed and more than 2,000 wounded as tensions flared in recent days in the Arab world's most populous state.At least 41 protesters have been killed and more than 2,000 wounded as tensions flared in recent days in the Arab world's most populous state.
'Lived in slavery' The protesters fear the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces led by Field Marshal Tantawi, which is overseeing the transition to democratic rule, is trying to retain power.
'Voters are energised'
On a chilly Cairo morning, queues formed early at this polling station for women. Within an hour, they extended down the street - an orderly, patient group of Egyptians eager to participate in this process.On a chilly Cairo morning, queues formed early at this polling station for women. Within an hour, they extended down the street - an orderly, patient group of Egyptians eager to participate in this process.
"It matters," said one smartly dressed woman. "This election is different." Everyone I spoke to said they were here "for Egypt"."It matters," said one smartly dressed woman. "This election is different." Everyone I spoke to said they were here "for Egypt".
As the queue grows, Cairo life resumes its normal rhythms - a cacophony of honking car horns in famously clogged streets, the aroma of falafel frying wafts through the air.As the queue grows, Cairo life resumes its normal rhythms - a cacophony of honking car horns in famously clogged streets, the aroma of falafel frying wafts through the air.
Party representatives are here, directing traffic, but also handing out flyers, in violation of election rules. One person handed me a 2012 calendar with a candidate's smiling face.Party representatives are here, directing traffic, but also handing out flyers, in violation of election rules. One person handed me a 2012 calendar with a candidate's smiling face.
Reports from other centres in Cairo speak of stations not opening on time, ballot papers not ready, or scuffles in the queues. And just down the street, protesters are gathering at Tahrir Square - their political space - not polling.Reports from other centres in Cairo speak of stations not opening on time, ballot papers not ready, or scuffles in the queues. And just down the street, protesters are gathering at Tahrir Square - their political space - not polling.
Early on Monday, queues formed outside polling stations in Cairo before the official opening time of 08:00 local time (06:00 GMT).Early on Monday, queues formed outside polling stations in Cairo before the official opening time of 08:00 local time (06:00 GMT).
A high turnout is being reported in many areas, and in places queues were said to stretch up to 3km (two miles). A high turnout has been reported in many areas, and in places queues were said to stretch up to 3km (two miles).
"It was no use to vote before. Our voices were completely irrelevant," one woman in central Cairo told the AFP news agency as she went to vote for the first time in her life. "Before we knew in advance who was going to dominate. So apathy was the order of the day," Alexandria taxi driver Etimad Sameh told Reuters news agency. "Today we don't know what the outcome will be. Voters are energised."
Another first-time voter said she was "voting for freedom". "We lived in slavery. Now we want justice in freedom," Iris Nawar told AP news agency. Officials blamed a delay to the voting in some Cairo constituencies on the late arrival of ballot papers and a shortage of ink and administrative officers.
"We are afraid of the Muslim Brotherhood. But we lived for 30 years under Mubarak, we will live with them too." The head of the Supreme Judicial Committee for Elections, Judge Abdel Moez Ibrahim, said voting would be extended until midnight in all constituencies affected by a late start.
In some Cairo constituencies, voters complained that polling started late. Officials blamed various factors including the late arrival of ballot papers, a shortage of ink and administrative officers. Some judges monitoring the vote got lost on their way to their polling stations, causing more delays, officials said. Problems elsewhere included campaigning on voting day - a violation of election rules - while in Assiut, in the south, the army said it had regained control after a shooting incident.
The Supreme Judicial Committee for Elections has admitted they have faced problems on the first day of voting. Officials denied reports that voters there had attacked polling stations.
Committee head Judge Abdel Moez Ibrahim said voting would be extended until midnight in all constituencies affected by a late start. There have also been reports that in Cairo and Port Said, candidates' numbers on voting cards had been changed.
BBC correspondent Reham Saleh said the city's fourth constituency - which includes many impoverished areas - is witnessing a high turnout. Leftist candidate Al-Badry Farghali, in Port Said, told the BBC this had happened to him and another candidate, George Ishaq, a well-known activist.
She said residents of poor and squatter areas are showing great enthusiasm to participate and are standing outside the booths, helping one other to understand how to cast their vote so that it is valid. Complicated process
State-run TV said Field Marshal Tantawi met voters at polling stations in the Heliopolis and Nasr City areas. Voters in nine provinces, including Cairo, Port Said, Alexandria and Assiut are casting ballots on Monday and Tuesday in the first stage of a process extending until March.
Away from the capital, leaflets were distributed outside polling stations in Alexandria in violation of rules that ban campaigning during the vote, while in Assiut the army said it had regained control after a shooting incident. Officials denied reports that voters in Assiut had attacked polling stations and a judge. Other provinces take their turns through December and early January for elections to the 508-member People's Assembly.
The voting begins an election timetable which lasts until March 2012. The first stage, running until January, covers elections to the 508-member People's Assembly. Voting for the upper house, or Shura Assembly, of parliament takes place after that and the presidential election is supposed to be held by mid-2012.
About 50 million people are eligible to vote out of a population in excess of 85 million - with candidates from 50 registered political parties.About 50 million people are eligible to vote out of a population in excess of 85 million - with candidates from 50 registered political parties.
Analysts say the voting procedure is complex and there has been little time for campaigning, so it is unclear how many people will cast ballots.
The new parliament is likely have a strong Islamist bloc led by the Muslim Brotherhood, liberal groupings and some reconditioned relics of Hosni Mubarak's old party, says the BBC's Kevin Connolly in Cairo.The new parliament is likely have a strong Islamist bloc led by the Muslim Brotherhood, liberal groupings and some reconditioned relics of Hosni Mubarak's old party, says the BBC's Kevin Connolly in Cairo.
Official results from the first phase of voting should be announced on Wednesday, but the final make-up of the lower and upper house of parliament will not be clear until March.Official results from the first phase of voting should be announced on Wednesday, but the final make-up of the lower and upper house of parliament will not be clear until March.
'Rejection'
Mass demonstrations - in Cairo and beyond - had called for military rule to end before the parliamentary elections were held.
The protesters fear the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces led by Field Marshal Tantawi, which is overseeing the transition to democratic rule, is trying to retain power.
"We reject any resolution taken by the military council - except for the handover of power to an authority that we approve. Then we will be making the decisions in Egyptian politics," said protester Samira Hosni.
There have also been smaller gatherings expressing support for the country's interim military rulers.
In a separate development early on Monday, a pipeline in Egypt which supplies Israel and Jordan with natural gas was attacked by saboteurs, Egypt's Mena state news agency said.In a separate development early on Monday, a pipeline in Egypt which supplies Israel and Jordan with natural gas was attacked by saboteurs, Egypt's Mena state news agency said.
Witnesses reported seeing masked men driving away from the pipeline, close to the town of Arish, before two blasts were heard. It is the ninth such attack on the pipeline this year.Witnesses reported seeing masked men driving away from the pipeline, close to the town of Arish, before two blasts were heard. It is the ninth such attack on the pipeline this year.
Are you in Egypt? Will you be voting on Monday? Are you taking part in the protests? Send us your comments using the form below.Are you in Egypt? Will you be voting on Monday? Are you taking part in the protests? Send us your comments using the form below.
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