Egypt elections: And the contest begins

Sunday saw the final day of campaigning for candidates hoping to win over undecided voters as Egypt prepares for two days of voting in the country's first presidential elections since former President Hosni Mubarak was ousted from power in February of last year.

Candidates are not allowed to canvas for votes after Sunday with Egyptians expected to take to the polls on May 23rd and 24.

In the run up to the elections candidates undertook various means to convey their message and policies, from appearing on television chat shows, to holding public meetings and campaigning cross the country.

Egyptians also witnessed for the first time a live presidential debate between the leading figures in the race for the country's top post.

Voting by Egyptian expats has already finished with exit polls showing the votes were split in various territories and nations.

The candidates

The candidates Abdelmoniem Abul-Fotouh, the former Muslim Brotherhood (MB) member turned moderate/progressive Islamist; Amr Moussa, the Liberal career diplomat and former Arab League secretary general; Mohamed Morsi the formidable Muslim Brotherhood's candidate; and Hamdain Sabahi a Nasserite secular and socialist leaning activist were the main winners of the votes by Egyptians living abroad.

In addition to the four mentioned names another candidate whose name is gaining popularity is that of Ahmed Shafiq, a military man and former Minister of Aviation, and the man who was appointed as Prime Minister as a last-ditch attempt to appease the protesters by Mr Mubarak in January of last year.

As yet there is no clear cut favourite with many divided on which candidate deserves their vote. Some have stated their intention to boycott the elections while many others have already declared their choice.

The lack of a stand out frontrunner has raised the fears of a fractured vote. Though it appears a Liberal vs Islamist fight for the highest office in Egypt there are a number of vital issues that all candidates have had to address such as the flagging economy and the role of the Supreme Council of Armed Forces (SCAF) post elections.

Activists and policy makers alike, as well as political parties and presidential candidates recognise that in order for the revolution to succeed and continue on the right path the army must be relegated back to the barracks. A task which many realise as being easier said then done.

Attempted

Abul-Fotouh has attempted to straddle both the Islamists and liberals vote under his campaign mantra of 'Egypt for all' by declaring his support of women's rights and his contention that all Egyptians, including Copts, should run for office amongst other assertions.

His reformist and progressive beliefs has won him the support of “liberals, leftists and Salafists, proving society can rally around him as a consensus leader.” However, he has received the backing of the Salafi Dawa group which has cast a doubt on his credentials as many believe if he does assume office he will have to appease them.

The backing of the Salafis, the ultra orthodox Islamists, of Abul-Fotouh and not the Brotherhood's candidate Morsi throws up a political 'face-off' between the two religious parties. The MB enjoys widespread popularity amongst the middle and lower classes whose huge numbers can prove decisive come voting time. Furthermore, their financial power and popular outreach easily outweighs that of other parties; leading to the possibility of a second round vote-off between the two.

In the Liberal corner the vote appears to be divided between Moussa, Shafiq and Sabbahi with each having his group of vocal supporters and detractors. Both Shafik and Moussa are seen as remnants of Mubarak's era though to many it's a case of better the devil you know with a 'feloul' (an Arabic reference of those known as being part of Mubarak-era factions) than an Islamist.

Mubarak tenure

Shafik has the support of both the business community and of SCAF making him their 'preferred' candidate. Moussa meanwhile continues to lead opinion polls as the presidential pick for many though his tenure under Mubarak, he was the longest serving foreign minister, is also seen as a mark against him while his strong anti-Islamist stance may lead to political paralysis.

Sabbahi has seemingly come out of nowhere as a viable contender though his policies many believe are too simplistic and he does not possess the leadership qualities required to hold office.

Whether an outright winner will emerge after two days of voting remains to be seen but all signs indicate to their being a second round run-off required.

Will it be an Islamist vs a Liberal? An Islamist vs an Islamist? Or even a Liberal vs a Liberal? Whoever it is who will feature in the second round remains to be seen.