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Egypt elects new leader to steer country out of crisis | |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Millions of voters are casting ballots across Egypt to choose a new president, for the second time in two years. | Millions of voters are casting ballots across Egypt to choose a new president, for the second time in two years. |
A huge security operation has been mounted by police and the military, amid fear of attacks by militants seeking to disrupt the polls. | A huge security operation has been mounted by police and the military, amid fear of attacks by militants seeking to disrupt the polls. |
Former army chief Abdul Fattah al-Sisi, who deposed Islamist President Mohammed Morsi last year, is standing against left-wing candidate Hamdeen Sabahi. | Former army chief Abdul Fattah al-Sisi, who deposed Islamist President Mohammed Morsi last year, is standing against left-wing candidate Hamdeen Sabahi. |
Mr Sisi is forecast to win by a comfortable margin. | Mr Sisi is forecast to win by a comfortable margin. |
The elections are being held across two days, with the official result to be announced on 5 June. | The elections are being held across two days, with the official result to be announced on 5 June. |
Shortly after polls opened, Mr Sisi cast his vote at a polling station in Cairo amid a throng of reporters and spectators. | Shortly after polls opened, Mr Sisi cast his vote at a polling station in Cairo amid a throng of reporters and spectators. |
The 59-year-old appeals to Egyptians who crave stability after years of political upheaval and anything else than an easy win for him would be a source of astonishment, says the BBC's Kevin Connolly in Cairo. | The 59-year-old appeals to Egyptians who crave stability after years of political upheaval and anything else than an easy win for him would be a source of astonishment, says the BBC's Kevin Connolly in Cairo. |
President Morsi was deposed last July following mass protests and he is standing trial on a raft of charges. He strongly denies any wrongdoing. | President Morsi was deposed last July following mass protests and he is standing trial on a raft of charges. He strongly denies any wrongdoing. |
Egypt's interim authorities have since clamped down hard on Mr Morsi's Islamist movement, the Muslim Brotherhood, declaring it a terrorist organisation. | Egypt's interim authorities have since clamped down hard on Mr Morsi's Islamist movement, the Muslim Brotherhood, declaring it a terrorist organisation. |
More than 1,400 people have been killed and at least 16,000 arrested, including the Brotherhood's senior leaders. | More than 1,400 people have been killed and at least 16,000 arrested, including the Brotherhood's senior leaders. |
Islamists and some secular activists are boycotting the polls in protest at the clampdown and repression of dissent. | Islamists and some secular activists are boycotting the polls in protest at the clampdown and repression of dissent. |
Nearly 200,000 members of the security forces are on duty at polling stations across the country. The tight security drums home a familiar message from Egypt's military-backed interim authorities - that the dangers of Islamist militants are ever present, our correspondent says. | Nearly 200,000 members of the security forces are on duty at polling stations across the country. The tight security drums home a familiar message from Egypt's military-backed interim authorities - that the dangers of Islamist militants are ever present, our correspondent says. |
In his election campaign, Mr Sisi has set out plans to develop agriculture, housing, education, impoverished areas and employment. | In his election campaign, Mr Sisi has set out plans to develop agriculture, housing, education, impoverished areas and employment. |
He is backed by several big businessmen as well as a broad range of political parties from the Islamist right to the moderate left. | He is backed by several big businessmen as well as a broad range of political parties from the Islamist right to the moderate left. |
Hamdeen Sabahi, who came third in presidential elections in 2012, offers an alternative to young voters who favour a civilian candidate over a former military one. | Hamdeen Sabahi, who came third in presidential elections in 2012, offers an alternative to young voters who favour a civilian candidate over a former military one. |
He promises to combat corruption and incompetence while promoting civil rights. | He promises to combat corruption and incompetence while promoting civil rights. |
Both candidates say they will not re-legalise the Muslim Brotherhood. | Both candidates say they will not re-legalise the Muslim Brotherhood. |