Brasília – For the first time in Egypt since the former president Hosni Mubarak stepped down 15 months ago, 51 million voters will cast their ballots this Wednesday (23rd) and Thursday (24th) to choose the new president. The elections will consist of two rounds, and first round results will be announced next Sunday (27th). The second round will be held on June 16th and 17th. A total of 12 candidates are participating in the elections.
Since Mubarak’s resignation in February 2011, a Military Junta has been ruling Egypt. Protesters, however, complain about the government, claiming that the military are enjoying privileges and that there are obstacles to the implementation of democratic measures. Brazilian authorities are keeping track of the elections and are expected to make a statement after the second round.
The most populated country in the so-called Arab world, Egypt has a population of 82 million, who will choose one out of 12 candidates. The main ones are the former secretary general to the League of Arab States and former minister of Foreign Affairs under Mubarak, Amr Mussa, the last prime minister under Mubarak, Ahmad Shafiq, a religious Muslim who presents himself as independent, Abdel Moneim Abul Foutouh, and the Muslim Brotherhood candidate Mohammed Morsi.
Other presidential candidates are Hamdine Sabbahi (Arab National Party), the religious Muslim Selim Al Awa and the human rights activist Khaled Ali. According to political analysts, the election’s outcome lies in the hands of undecided voters. In the latest survey, Shafiq led with 19.3%, followed by Mussa, with 14.6%, and Abul Fotouh, with 12.4%.
*Translated by Gabriel Pomerancblum
