Polls open in final day of Egypt presidential vote

Voters check their names at a polling station in Cairo June 17, 2012. — Photo Reuters

CAIRO: Polling opened in Egypt on Sunday’s final day of a divisive election to choose a successor to ousted president Hosni Mubarak, in a race that pits a former regime premier against an Islamist.

Queues had already formed outside some voting stations before they opened their doors at 8:00 am (0600 GMT) with police and armydeployed outside, AFP reporters said.

Muslim Brotherhood candidate Mohammed Mursi has promised that an Egypt under his leadership would be inclusive, and vowed to defend the goals of last year’s uprising, while ex-premier Ahmed Shafiq is standing on a tough law-and-order platform.

The election has polarised the nation, dividing those who fear a return to the old regime under Shafiq’s leadership from others who want to keep religion out of politics and fear the Brotherhood would stifle personal.