Muslim Brotherhood claims lead in Egypt presidential poll

With the polls closed and counting underway in Egypt’s landmark presidential election, the Muslim Brotherhood is claiming that its candidate is through to a second round run-off next month.

Based on its own estimates, the group says Mohamed Mursi is currently in first place, securing around 25 per cent of the votes tallied up so far.

Official results are not due to be announced until next week.
According to the Brotherhood, Mursi will go up against ex-air force chief and former prime minister Ahmed Shafiq in the next round.

Shafiq is said to be running in second place, with a 23 percent share of the vote.

“Islamic parties attract many different categories of people, particularly the poor,” said Nabil Ibrahim, of the Egyptian Federation of Human Rights.

“The influence of candidates from these groups plays a big role in the election results.”

Egypt’s first truly competitive presidential election is being held after Hosni Mubarak was ousted last year and it has polarised voters.

There are those who are determined to avoid handing the presidency back to someone from Mubarak’s era and those fearing an Islamist takeover of ruling institutions.

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