CAIRO: The registration for Egypt's first presidential election finished Sunday, amid last-minute twists, which looks like Arabian drama. So far 20 people have registered, each hoping to govern of Arab world's most populous nation through a fragile transition. A former intelligence chief Omar Suleiman, a stalwart of the Mubarak regime, registered less than half an hour before deadline, 2:00 pm Cairo time. Military lined the entrance to the election commission headquarters in a Cairo suburb amid fears of possible clashes among different political interests. Drama was on board on the final day for registration, Omar Suleiman wasn't the only hero of the day, the Muslim Brotherhood said they would field a candidate, Safwat Hegazy, but changed their mind at the very last minute. The list of candidates contained former Arab League chief Amr Moussa, ultra-conservative salafist preacher Hazem Abu Ismail, the Muslim Brotherhood's Khairat Shater, former Brotherhood member Abdel Moneim Abul Fotouh and last prime minister, in Mubarek era Ahmed Shafiq. The list reflects several political trends including that of the Islamists, who have gained power and prominence since the uprising, but other old regime men may have support of lots of people, who gradually mistrust Muslim trends' candidates. After the uprising in 2011, anyone associated with Mubarak kept a low profile for fear of reprisals, but now some are no longer shy about their support for ex-regime members. “He has the power to solve lots of Egypt's problems, I will support him till the very last minute of the race, he can do it” a supporter of Omar Suleiman told Bikyamasr.com. “It seems that the Egyptian revolution has failed, and we will have to go to Tahrir Square again” Mohmed Hussien, a student in Cairo University, told us. Election commission is due to examine candidacies between April 13-15 before issuing a final list of approved candidates. Coming few days guarantee more of drama and action, we have to wait and see, till May 23, the time for elections in a new Egypt, to verify whether our revolution succeeded or not.
