Egypt's presidential vote begins

Cairo, May 23 (IANS) Egyptians went to polls Wednesday morning to elect their new president after last year's fall of Hosni Mubarak who had ruled for 30 years.

The polling stations opened at 8 a.m. across the country under tight security, reported Xinhua.

About 50 million eligible voters will select one from 12 presidential candidates. Top hopefuls include former Arab league chief Amr Moussa, Islamist Aboul Fotouh, Freedom and Justice Party chairman Mohamed Morsi and former prime minister Ahmed Shafiq.

The elections would be the first since Mubarak was ousted after 18 days of demonstrations in February 2011. He assumed the presidency in October 1981, following the assassination of then president Anwar Sadat.

Mubarak is now facing a trial on charges of corruption and abuse of power and premeditated murder of peaceful protesters. He may be sentenced to death if found guilty.