Second day of voting begins
Sunday marks the second and final day of voting in Egypt to elect the country’s first president since Hosni Mubarak was forced from office in 2011.
The former prime minister of Mubarak’s reign Ahmed Shafiq is up against Islamist candidate Mohammad Mursi.
The vote follows a much resented court ruling to dissolve the parliament on Thursday.Mr Mursi’s Muslim Brotherhood has denounced the step as unlawful and a coup against democracy.
Mr Shafiq came second in last month’s first round, in which turnout among the 52 million eligible voters was only 46%. Official results gave Mr Mursi 24.8% and Mr Shafiq 23.7%.
Final results from the Higher Presidential Election Commission (HPEC) are due by 21 June, but are expected to arrive much earlier.
Candidate profiles
Mohammed Mursi
Aged 60
US-educated engineering professor
Head of Muslim Brotherhood’s Freedom and Justice Party (FJP)
Served as independent MP 2000-05
Quietly spoken, viewed by some as lacking charisma
Has promised “stability, security, justice and prosperity” under an Islamic banner
Ahmed Shafiq
Aged 70
Veteran fighter pilot and former air force chief
Appointed Egypt’s first aviation minister, earning reputation for competence and efficiency
Promoted to PM during February 2011 protests
Associated with Mubarak regime, though denies being backed by ruling military council
Campaigned on a promise to restore security