Egypt elects new leader to steer country out of crisis

Africa May - 26 - 2014 , 09:39

Millions of voters are casting ballots across Egypt to choose a new president, for the second time in two years.

A huge security operation has been mounted by police and the military, amid fear of attacks by militants seeking to disrupt the polls.

Former army chief Abdul Fattah al-Sisi, who deposed Islamist President Mohammed Morsi last year, is standing against left-wing candidate Hamdeen Sabahi.

Mr Sisi is forecast to win by a comfortable margin.

The elections are being held across two days, with the official result to be announced on 5 June.

Shortly after polls opened, Mr Sisi cast his vote at a polling station in Cairo amid a throng of reporters and spectators.

The 59-year-old appeals to Egyptians who crave stability after years of political upheaval and anything else than an easy win for him would be a source of astonishment, says the BBC's Kevin Connolly in Cairo.

President Morsi was deposed last July following mass protests and he is standing trial on a raft of charges. He strongly denies any wrongdoing.