Voting in presidential elections kicked off in Egypt at 8 am today. About 14,000 polling stations were organized in 27 provinces. The first round of vote will end on May 24, RIA Novosti reports.
Over 50 million voters have been registered. They have 13 candidates to choose from, including former supporters of President Hosni Mubarak (former LAS Secretary General and Foreign Minister of Egypt Amr Mousa and former prime Minister Ahmed Shafiq) and his opponents (members of the Muslim Brotherhood Muhammed Mursi and former member Abdelmonem Abulfutuh).
Each polling stations will have court officials to verify identities of voters. Over 300,000 troops and police officers will maintain order.
A candidate needs over 50% of votes, but such high preferences are unlikely. There will most likely be two leaders for the second round of vote on June 16-17.
Final results will be announced on June 21. Civil officials will take power over the country on June 30.
