Presidential run off vote begins in Egypt

(Vatican Radio) Security is being beefed up around polling stations nationwide as Egyptian’s head to the polls today in a weekend presidential runoff vote. The election comes after Egypts Supreme Court ruled to dissolve the Islamist-dominated parliament. The runoff vote pits former Prime Minister Ahmed Shafiq, against Muslim Brotherhood candidate Mohammed Morsi.

The Islamist movement came to the fore following the ouster of Hosni Mubarak sweeping up seats in parliament to become the strongest political force in the chamber only to lose that dominance when the legislature was dissolved by court order on Thursday.


The court also threw out legislation that would have banned Shafiq as a senior former Mubarak official from running.


Meanwhile Presidential candidate Ahmed Shafiq, in his final days of campaigning, has played on fears that the Brotherhood would try to impose a hardline version of Islamic law and curb the rights of women.


But despite his rhetoic protesters on the streets speaking to CNN see him as part of the old guard they helped to topple.



It is unclear how the dissolution of parliament will affect the race.

It could bolster the Brotherhood's Mohammad Morsi, who now represents for many the only option to challenge decades of military power.

In contrast, it could also boost Shafiq, believed to be the military's preferred candidate backed by strong resources. Many voters also see Shafiq as the only hope for a secular state. Listen