Mubarak set for win in Egypt election

CAIRO – Egyptians were voting yesterday in the country’s first contested presidential election with veteran leader Hosni Mubarak all but certain to win a fifth term amid fears of widespread fraud.

The country’s judges – tasked with supervising the poll – have already warned they would not endorse the result of the vote amid suspicion the regime would seek to swell an expected low turnout to boost Mubarak’s legitimacy. The 77-year-old former air force commander, who has led the country for 24 years since the assassination of Anwar Sadat, is facing nine challengers, most of them unknown even to most Egyptians.Two hours after polling kicked off, the all-powerful electoral commission announced it would allow independent monitors inside polling stations on condition they obtain an official authorisation.The regime has trumpeted the poll as a watershed in the country’s democratisation, but the Muslim Brotherhood – Egypt’s best-organised opposition force – was barred from fielding a candidate as it remains banned.- Nampa-AFPThe 77-year-old former air force commander, who has led the country for 24 years since the assassination of Anwar Sadat, is facing nine challengers, most of them unknown even to most Egyptians.Two hours after polling kicked off, the all-powerful electoral commission announced it would allow independent monitors inside polling stations on condition they obtain an official authorisation.The regime has trumpeted the poll as a watershed in the country’s democratisation, but the Muslim Brotherhood – Egypt’s best-organised opposition force – was barred from fielding a candidate as it remains banned.- Nampa-AFP