Egyptians on Monday headed to polling stations in the first free election since the ouster of Hosni Mubarak earlier this year.
Reuters reports:
In the nine months since a popular revolt ended Mubarak’s 30-year rule, political change in Egypt has faltered, with the military apparently more focused on preserving its power and privilege than on fostering any democratic transformation.
Frustration erupted last week into bloody protests that cost 42 lives and forced the army council to promise civilian rule by July after the parliamentary vote and a presidential poll, now expected in June – much sooner than previously envisaged.
There were no reports of serious election-day violence. But scuffles among women voters erupted at one Alexandria polling station that opened late because ballot papers had not arrived.
