CAIRO: Only days after leading political figure Mohamed ElBaradei withdrew his name from any future presidential race in Egypt, the military junta announced on Monday morning that open registration for Egypt's top job will begin in mid-April. State television reported Major General Mohsen al-Fangari saying presidential elections would be held sometime in mid-June, but did not give an exact date. The move has campaign organizers for leading candidates excited and hopeful that Egypt's transition to civilian rule will finally come to an end. An assistant to top candidate, moderate Abdel Moneim Aboul Fotouh, told Bikyamasr.com that “this is a sign that pressure has shown that it can be successful. We are hopeful that this registration process will be smooth and that campaigns will be exciting.” Aboul Fotouh is arguably the front-runner, as he is able to win both the conservatives and liberals for his support of justice and democratic rule outside the military. He is also a former top official with the Muslim Brotherhood, but was booted from the group after he announced he would run for president. The election is seen as the final transition issue since a popular uprising ousted former President Hosni Mubarak in February 2011. Also putting their names out for the top position are former Arab League Secretary General Amr Moussa, ultra-conservative Salafist Hazem Abu Ismail and former talk show host and popular figure Bothaina Kamel, the country's first real female candidate for president. BM ShortURL: http://goo.gl/7ZiFz Tags: Elections, featured, President, Registration, SCAF Section: Egypt, Latest News
