Egypt election: Shafiq vows no return to Mubarak era

One of the two candidates battling to become Egypt’s president has distanced himself from former leader and ally Hosni Mubarak.

With the final results from last week’s first round election still being counted, former Prime Minister Ahmed Shafiq appears to have come second behind Mohamed Mursi of the Muslim Brotherhood.

Official results will be announced on Tuesday and the two are likely to go head-to-head in a run-off election on June 16 and 17.

Shafiq, who is seen by many Egyptians as anti last year’s revolution, promised that there would be no turning back: “Your revolution was stolen. I pledge to return its fruits to your hands.”

“I accept the need for dialogue with politicians from all sides. At the same time, I’m on the side of the people and invite leaders to make deals with the public on this basis.”

Analysts say Shafiq is likely to use the second round campaign to stoke fears that his conservative opponent Mohamed Mursi would restrict the freedom of ordinary Egyptians if elected.

Meanwhile, several first round candidates claim there’s been voting irregularities in the first round.

With an estimated 1.5 percent difference between Shafiq and Hamdeen Sabahy who likely came third,
lawyers say they’ll call for next month’s run-off to be halted until their claims are investigated.

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