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Egypt starts presidential election run-off Egypt starts presidential election run-off
(40 minutes later)
Egyptians are voting in a two-day run-off election to choose their first freely elected president.Egyptians are voting in a two-day run-off election to choose their first freely elected president.
Mohammed Mursi, head of the Muslim Brotherhood's political wing, is up against Ahmed Shafiq, former President Hosni Mubarak's last prime minister.Mohammed Mursi, head of the Muslim Brotherhood's political wing, is up against Ahmed Shafiq, former President Hosni Mubarak's last prime minister.
The ruling generals have vowed to hand over power to the winner by 30 June.The ruling generals have vowed to hand over power to the winner by 30 June.
But correspondents say many who took part in last year's revolution find the choice uninspiring and some have called for a boycott or spoiled ballots. But correspondents say there is less enthusiasm than there was for previous rounds of voting, and some have called for a boycott or spoiled ballots.
As polls opened on Saturday morning, there was little sign of the long queues or enthusiasm that characterised the first round, or the parliamentary polls which took place between November and January. As polls opened on Saturday morning, there was little sign of the long queues that characterised the first round, or the parliamentary polls which took place between November and January.
"The revolution was stolen from us," merchant Nabil Abdul Fatah told the Associated Press outside a polling station in Cairo's Imbaba district. Particularly noticeable is the lack of young people voting, says the BBC's Jon Leyne in Cairo.
Around Cairo, it is relatively quiet on the sun-baked streets. Two days of national holiday were declared in an effort to boost voter turnout. Voting has also been extended until 21:00, when it will be cooler.Around Cairo, it is relatively quiet on the sun-baked streets. Two days of national holiday were declared in an effort to boost voter turnout. Voting has also been extended until 21:00, when it will be cooler.
Yet some Egyptians cannot be convinced to go to the polls. "I can't vote for Mohammed Mursi. His party failed every test in the past year. They were greedy and opportunist," rationalises Ahmed from Helipolis. "If I voted for Ahmed Shafiq, I would betray my conscience."Yet some Egyptians cannot be convinced to go to the polls. "I can't vote for Mohammed Mursi. His party failed every test in the past year. They were greedy and opportunist," rationalises Ahmed from Helipolis. "If I voted for Ahmed Shafiq, I would betray my conscience."
In the poor Imbaba district, there are only small queues outside polling stations. The community appears split between the two candidates. "Dr Mursi is the sound of truth. I will not vote for any faloul (remnant of the old regime). I lived 30 years of oppression," says Iman, who wears the full face veil. A Christian woman, Nevine, disagrees. "Ahmed Shafiq is the better one. He has political experience and will control Egypt well," she says.In the poor Imbaba district, there are only small queues outside polling stations. The community appears split between the two candidates. "Dr Mursi is the sound of truth. I will not vote for any faloul (remnant of the old regime). I lived 30 years of oppression," says Iman, who wears the full face veil. A Christian woman, Nevine, disagrees. "Ahmed Shafiq is the better one. He has political experience and will control Egypt well," she says.
On the pavement, a crowd quickly gathers around us vigorously debating the pros and cons of the contrasting presidential hopefuls. It is a small version of the political debate gripping Egypt. They seem to be particularly disenchanted with the choice between Mr Shafiq, a candidate seen as a representative of the old regime, and the Islamist Mr Morsi, our correspondent says.
He said he planned to vote for Mr Shafiq. While state TV has been urging people to vote, some activists have been distributing flyers in several Cairo metro stations calling for a boycott.
"We can easily get rid of him if we want to, but not the Brotherhood, which will cling to power." Meanwhile, Mr Mursi's campaign held a press conference on Saturday afternoon in which it said several electoral violations had been reported, and urged voters to report any incidents.
Court intervention
The build-up to this weekend's run-off has been marred by a Supreme Constitutional Court decision that parliament had to be dissolved.The build-up to this weekend's run-off has been marred by a Supreme Constitutional Court decision that parliament had to be dissolved.
On Thursday, a panel of judges - appointed by Mr Mubarak - ruled that the law governing Egypt's first democratic elections in more than six decades was unconstitutional because party members were allowed to contest seats in the lower house reserved for independents.On Thursday, a panel of judges - appointed by Mr Mubarak - ruled that the law governing Egypt's first democratic elections in more than six decades was unconstitutional because party members were allowed to contest seats in the lower house reserved for independents.
Mr Mursi's Freedom and Justice Party (FJP) won about 100 of its 235 seats in the People's Assembly by running candidates for individual seats. The ultraconservative Salafist Nour party also enjoyed similar success in seats designated for independents.Mr Mursi's Freedom and Justice Party (FJP) won about 100 of its 235 seats in the People's Assembly by running candidates for individual seats. The ultraconservative Salafist Nour party also enjoyed similar success in seats designated for independents.
If parliament is dissolved swiftly by the ruling Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (Scaf), whoever wins this weekend's presidential run-off could take office without the oversight of a sitting parliament, and without a permanent constitution to define his powers or duties.If parliament is dissolved swiftly by the ruling Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (Scaf), whoever wins this weekend's presidential run-off could take office without the oversight of a sitting parliament, and without a permanent constitution to define his powers or duties.
A 100-member assembly appointed by parliament earlier this week to draft the new constitution may also be dissolved.A 100-member assembly appointed by parliament earlier this week to draft the new constitution may also be dissolved.
Islamist, liberals and scholars denounced the ruling as a "coup", saying they feared the ruling generals would take back legislative power.Islamist, liberals and scholars denounced the ruling as a "coup", saying they feared the ruling generals would take back legislative power.
"This series of measures shows that the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces, the head of the counter-revolution, is adamant to bring back the old regime and the presidential elections are merely a show," six parties and movements said in a joint statement.
Meanwhile, the Nobel laureate and former head of the UN's nuclear watchdog, Mohamed ElBaradei, warned that Egypt was suffering under worse conditions now than under Mr Mubarak.Meanwhile, the Nobel laureate and former head of the UN's nuclear watchdog, Mohamed ElBaradei, warned that Egypt was suffering under worse conditions now than under Mr Mubarak.
"We are in a total mess, a confused process that - assuming good intentions - has led us nowhere except the place we were at 18 months ago, but under even more adverse conditions," he told the Guardian."We are in a total mess, a confused process that - assuming good intentions - has led us nowhere except the place we were at 18 months ago, but under even more adverse conditions," he told the Guardian.
"We are going to elect a president in the next couple of days without a constitution and without a parliament. He will be a new emperor, holding both legislative and executive authority and with the right to enact laws and even amend the constitution as he sees fit."
Amr Moussa, the former Arab League secretary general who came fifth in the first round, meanwhile said on Saturday that priority had to be given to national reconciliation.
The BBC's Lyse Doucet in Cairo says the ruling generals insist they are moving Egypt towards civilian rule.The BBC's Lyse Doucet in Cairo says the ruling generals insist they are moving Egypt towards civilian rule.
And with some newly restored powers of arrest and interrogation, they are warning any effort to disrupt the run-off vote will be dealt with firmly, our correspondent adds. And with some newly restored powers of arrest and interrogation for soldiers, they are warning any effort to disrupt the run-off vote will be dealt with firmly, our correspondent adds.
On Wednesday, the justice ministry granted soldiers the right to arrest civilians for trial in military courts until the ratification of a new constitution.
'Return stability''Return stability'
On Friday, the Muslim Brotherhood vowed to win the presidency despite the signs of opposition within both the military and judiciary, which is overseeing the vote.On Friday, the Muslim Brotherhood vowed to win the presidency despite the signs of opposition within both the military and judiciary, which is overseeing the vote.
"Isolate the representative of the former regime through the ballot box," said a statement referring to Mr Shafiq, who also served as head of the air force and minister of aviation during Mr Mubarak's 29 years in power."Isolate the representative of the former regime through the ballot box," said a statement referring to Mr Shafiq, who also served as head of the air force and minister of aviation during Mr Mubarak's 29 years in power.
The Brotherhood warned that the progress made since the president was forced to step down was being "wiped out and overturned".
Mr Mursi meanwhile sought to reassure the military and its supporters within the electorate that he would work closely with the generals.Mr Mursi meanwhile sought to reassure the military and its supporters within the electorate that he would work closely with the generals.
"As president, they will be in my heart and will get my attention... they will never do anything to harm the nation," he said."As president, they will be in my heart and will get my attention... they will never do anything to harm the nation," he said.
His opponent meanwhile told a rally that the court rulings were "historic" and that the "era of political score-settling" had ended.His opponent meanwhile told a rally that the court rulings were "historic" and that the "era of political score-settling" had ended.
On Friday, Mr Shafiq promised to "address chaos and return stability".
He came second in last month's first round, in which turnout among the 52 million eligible voters was only 46%. Official results gave Mr Mursi 24.8% and Mr Shafiq 23.7%.He came second in last month's first round, in which turnout among the 52 million eligible voters was only 46%. Official results gave Mr Mursi 24.8% and Mr Shafiq 23.7%.
The 13,000 polling stations, spread across Egypt's 27 governorates, are due to open on Saturday and Sunday at 08:00 (06:00 GMT) and close at 20:00 (18:00 GMT). Voting on Saturday has already been extended until 21:00. Voting at 13,000 polling stations, spread across Egypt's 27 governorates, is being held over Saturday and Sunday, from 8:00 (06:00 GMT) to 20:00 (18:00 GMT). Voting on Saturday has already been extended until 21:00.
Security will be tight, with some 400,000 soldiers and police deployed. Some 400,000 soldiers and police have been deployed.
Final results from the Higher Presidential Election Commission (HPEC) are due by 21 June, but are expected to arrive much earlier. Partial results from the first round were declared within 24 hours.Final results from the Higher Presidential Election Commission (HPEC) are due by 21 June, but are expected to arrive much earlier. Partial results from the first round were declared within 24 hours.
Are you in Egypt? Will you be voting? What are your thoughts on the electoral process? Send us your comments and stories using the form below.Are you in Egypt? Will you be voting? What are your thoughts on the electoral process? Send us your comments and stories using the form below.