CAIRO - The exact date of the presidential elections in Egypt has yet to be announced. All the same, an increasing number of presidential hopefuls are scrambling for potential voters' attention. In addition to politicians, Egyptians with legal, military and academic backgrounds have expressed an interest in the job. At least two Islamists are known to be eyeing the hot seat, too. Several of these presidential hopefuls have already started campaigning. They are leaving no chance slip by to present their credentials. In the aftermath of Israel's killing of five policemen on the border on August 19, potential presidential contenders rushed to offer their condolences to the families of the victims. “I'll consider scrapping the Camp David treaty if I become President,” one such contender was quoted as telling mourners at the funeral for one of the slain policemen. Another candidate took advantage of the Egyptians' outrage at the Israeli action to promise to expel the Israeli Ambassador from Cairo and sever diplomatic ties with the ‘Zionist enemy. He said these are the first things he'll do if he's elected. The forthcoming presidential elections, expected to be held either later this year or in early 2012, will be the first since Mubarak was unseated in February. A number of top politicians have already signalled their readiness to run for the country's top job. In terms of tours, Amr Moussa, the former Arab League chief, is taking the lead. Next come Hamdeen Sabahi, a leftist politician, and Ayman Nour, an opposition figure who trailed second to Mubarak in the 2005 presidential elections. Meanwhile, Mohamed ElBaradei, the former chief of the UN nuclear watchdog, is apparently lagging behind in the number of street tours, though he is leading in Facebook popularity ratings. Moussa, who served as Egypt's Foreign Minister in the 1990s, is focusing on the underprivileged and the working classes, obviously to dispel claims that he is too rich to feel the sufferings of the poor. A few days ago, he appeared in local newspapers taking his iftar (fast-breaking meal) with a humble family in their small home. The main dish was molokhaya soup, a staple for many Egyptians. The other day, Moussa, 69, was pictured leading Muslim worshippers in the sunset prayers in his hometown. Religious sentiment usually peaks in the Muslim holy fasting month of Ramadan. “Presidency no longer means luxury and absolute power,” said Moussa. “I'm the servant of the people,” he added. According to constitutional amendments approved in a referendum in March, the presidential term was reduced to four from six years, with a maximum of two tenures. Presidential powers are also to be curtailed in the new Constitution. Moussa's rival, Sabahi, has taken cue. One evening last week, during a campaign tour in the neighbourhood of Faisal in Giza, Sabahi, 59, was pictured drinking sugarcane juice, which is popular with Egyptians, as it's tasty and cheap at the same time. Eid el-Fitr, which marks the end of Ramadan, is a national holiday, but not for the presidential hopefuls. They are expected to seize the occasion to endear themselves to ordinary people before going to the polls. Unlike in the not-too-distant past when Egypt's President was a shoo-in even before the ballots were cast, the race this time is too close to call.
