Campaigning for Egypt’s landmark presidential election ended on Monday, wrapping up an unprecedented exercise in democracy made possible by the 2011 popular uprising that ousted president Hosni Mubarak. According to the electoral rules laid down by the Supreme Presidential Election Commission, the dozen candidates cannot give any media interviews or make public appearances until polls close on Thursday after the two-day election. The main contenders are former foreign minister and Arab League chief Amr Mussa; Ahmed Shafiq, the last premier to serve under Mubarak; the Muslim Brotherhood’s Mohammed Mursi and independent Islamist Abdel Moneim Abul Fotouh. A run-off is scheduled for June 16-17 should there be no outright winner. Hopefuls have been criss-crossing the country for weeks, promising a brighter future to a population led by a string of autocratic rulers for decades. Around 50 million eligible voters are being called to cast their ballots, as a massive security plan is under way.
