Muslim Brotherhood and former Mubarak ally in Egypt run-off
Egyptian voters were faced with a choice between a Muslim Brotherhood candidate and a former ally of ousted leader Hosni Mubarak, after the first round of historic elections.
The choice between Mohammed Mursi and
Ahmed Shafiq, representing forces that have competed for the past six
decades, has dismayed many Egyptians who voted for candidates offering a
middle ground Photo: Getty Images
Both candidates claimed to be the champion
of last year's revolution which toppled the former president and
enabled a truly free vote to be held for the first time in Egypt's long
history.
State television said the
Brotherhood's Mohamed Mursi led this week's vote with 26.4 percent,
against 23 percent for ex-air force chief Ahmed Shafiq, according to
preliminary results.
Hamdeen Sabahy, a
secular leftist, came a close third with 21.5 percent, followed by
independent Islamist Abdel Moneim Abol Fotouh.
Only the top two go to the deciding vote on June 16 and 17. Official first-round results are expected on Tuesday.
But
Mr Sabahy's lawyer said he would demand that the electoral committee
halt the election until alleged voting irregularities had been
investigated and until the constitutional court rules on whether Mr
Shafiq was legally eligible to stand.
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