Egypt holds polarising presidential vote
- 12 years ago
Voters trickle to the polls for the second and final day of Egypt's presidential runoff.
The country's next leader will take over from the military - in power since long-time President Hosni Mubarak was forced from office last year.
The election pits the Muslim Brotherhood's Mohamed Morsy against former Prime Minister Ahmed Shafiq -- who represent change versus security.
After more moderate candidates failed to make the runoff, some are dissatisfied with the choice between a conservative Islamist and a former air force general.
(SOUNDBITE)(Arabic) EGYPTIAN VOTER WHO HAVE HER NAME AS SOUAD SAYING:
"I have invalidated my ballot, and have not voted for either candidate because I put myself in the place of a mother who lost her child, whose blood was spilt in Tahrir Square and who has not had justice delivered until this day."
Another voter said he chose Morsy and change.
(SOUNDBITE)(Arabic) EGYPTIAN VOTER, AHMED FOUAD, SAYING:
"The other candidate belongs to the old regime, he is reminiscent of Mubarak and the thirty years of corruption. We want change. But the point is we also have to respect the result whoever wins. "
But a low turnout could hurt the vote's legitimacy and the government's ability to unite many rival forces.
Lindsey Parietti, Reuters
The country's next leader will take over from the military - in power since long-time President Hosni Mubarak was forced from office last year.
The election pits the Muslim Brotherhood's Mohamed Morsy against former Prime Minister Ahmed Shafiq -- who represent change versus security.
After more moderate candidates failed to make the runoff, some are dissatisfied with the choice between a conservative Islamist and a former air force general.
(SOUNDBITE)(Arabic) EGYPTIAN VOTER WHO HAVE HER NAME AS SOUAD SAYING:
"I have invalidated my ballot, and have not voted for either candidate because I put myself in the place of a mother who lost her child, whose blood was spilt in Tahrir Square and who has not had justice delivered until this day."
Another voter said he chose Morsy and change.
(SOUNDBITE)(Arabic) EGYPTIAN VOTER, AHMED FOUAD, SAYING:
"The other candidate belongs to the old regime, he is reminiscent of Mubarak and the thirty years of corruption. We want change. But the point is we also have to respect the result whoever wins. "
But a low turnout could hurt the vote's legitimacy and the government's ability to unite many rival forces.
Lindsey Parietti, Reuters