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Egypt election: Long queues in first post-Mubarak vote Egypt election: Long queues in first post-Mubarak vote
(40 minutes later)
Large numbers of Egyptians have turned out to vote in the first elections since former President Hosni Mubarak was overthrown in February.Large numbers of Egyptians have turned out to vote in the first elections since former President Hosni Mubarak was overthrown in February.
There had been fears the vote might be delayed after deadly protests against the interim military rulers who replaced Mr Mubarak.
Voting has been extended to cope with the high turnout and few security problems have been reported.Voting has been extended to cope with the high turnout and few security problems have been reported.
Some polling stations opened late because of administrative problems. There had been fears the vote might be delayed after deadly protests against the interim military rulers who replaced Mr Mubarak.
At least 41 protesters have been killed and more than 2,000 wounded in the past 10 days, as tensions have flared in the Arab world's most populous state. Protesters occupying Cairo's Tahrir Square have boycotted the vote.
Protesters who remain in Cairo's Tahrir Square - the hub of the mass protests that toppled Mr Mubarak - have boycotted the elections.
The protesters fear the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces led by Field Marshal Hussein Tantawi, which is overseeing the transition to democracy after decades of authoritarian rule, is trying to retain power.The protesters fear the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces led by Field Marshal Hussein Tantawi, which is overseeing the transition to democracy after decades of authoritarian rule, is trying to retain power.
'Voters are energised' At least 41 demonstrators have been killed and more than 2,000 wounded in the past 10 days, as tensions have flared in the Arab world's most populous state.
Early on Monday, queues formed outside polling stations in Cairo before the official opening time of 08:00 local time (06:00 GMT). Voters '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. Early on Monday, queues formed outside polling stations in Cairo before the official opening time of 08:00 (06:00 GMT).
The 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.
A high turnout has been 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).
"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.""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."
The BBC's Jon Leyne in Cairo called the scene at a polling station there a "chaotic celebration of democracy", as people pushed to cast their votes.The BBC's Jon Leyne in Cairo called the scene at a polling station there a "chaotic celebration of democracy", as people pushed to cast their votes.
Elsewhere, more orderly queues formed.Elsewhere, more orderly queues formed.
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.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.
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.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.
Later, the military council said all polling stations would remain open an extra two hours until 21:00 (19:00 GMT) to accommodate the high turnout. Later, the military council said all polling stations would remain open an extra two hours until 21:00 to accommodate the high turnout.
In a violation of election rules, pamphlets for some candidates were distributed outside some polling stations.In a violation of election rules, pamphlets for some candidates were distributed outside some polling stations.
State-run TV reported that 25 people had been injured in election-related violence.
In Assiut, in the south, the army said it had regained control after a shooting incident. Officials denied reports that voters there had attacked polling stations.In Assiut, in the south, the army said it had regained control after a shooting incident. Officials denied reports that voters there had attacked polling stations.
There have also been reports that in Cairo and Port Said, candidates' numbers on voting cards had been changed.There have also been reports that in Cairo and Port Said, candidates' numbers on voting cards had been changed.
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.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.
Complicated process Lengthy process
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.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.
Other provinces take their turns through December and early January for elections to the 508-member People's Assembly.Other provinces take their turns through December and early January for 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.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.
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.
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.
Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here.Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here.
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