Egypt starts voting in run-off presidential vote

16 June 2012 | 16:07 Code : 1902799 Latest Headlines

(Reuters) - Egyptians began voting on Saturday in a run-off presidential election that offers them a stark choice between a conservative Islamist and a former top military officer who was the last prime minister of ousted President Hosni Mubarak.

It is a novelty for ordinary Egyptians, who are choosing their leader for the first time in a history that stretches back to the pharaohs. Polling stations opened to 50 million eligible voters for the first of two days of voting at 8 a.m. (02.00 a.m. EDT), television reported. They close at 8 p.m. (02.00 p.m. EDT).