More than 100 Egyptians turn up as presidential hopefuls

Cairo, Mar 11(ANI): Over 100 Egyptians have applied for the presidential polls in May, according to Farouk Sultan, head of the country's election commission.

He said none of them have actually submitted all the required registration documents on Saturday, which was the first day of applying for the elections.

These polls would be the first ones since the ouster of former president Hosni Mubarak.

Sultan said that most applicants weren't aware of the exact procedure, and thought that simply applying would be sufficient.

"The vast majority of those who showed up today [Saturday] are unknown. They thought that the mere showing at the registration center and filling in an application are enough to be eligible to vie in the election," Gulf News quoted him as saying.

Under constitutional reforms approved last year, independents wishing to run for president have to be supported by at least 30 lawmakers or they have to collect 30,000 endorsements from 15 of Egypt's 27 governorates.

"The potential candidates are now busy collecting the necessary endorsements," Sultan added.

Presidential hopefuls have until April 8 to submit their applications. The vote is scheduled for May 23 and 24, and the winner would be announced on June 21. (ANI)