This post is part of our special coverage of Egypt Elections 2011/2012 [1].
Egyptians are voting in the country's first free presidential election [1]. The voting will take place on May 23 and 24, with a runoff on June 16 and 17 if necessary.
Fifty million people are eligible [2] to vote. While large queues have formed at some polling stations, the turnout seems to be lower than for the parliamentary elections [3] in November 2011. This may reflect a disillusionment [4] with the candidates felt by many.
Tarek Shalaby commented on the low turnout:
@tarekshalaby [5]: On March 19th [the constitutional referendum [6]], I was in the queue wrapping around this school. Right now it's deserted. Maybe later…
[5]No queue. Image posted by @tarekshalaby
Journalist Erin Cunningham commented on the turnout in Ismailia in north-east Egypt:
@erinmcunningham [7]: Bakery in Ismailia central has longer, more enthusiastic line than polling stations I saw. #Egyelex #breadpolitics
Nadine Sabry gave one explanation as to why turnout was low:
@nsabry [8]: major differentiating factor is the weather. I went around 2 pm last time but wont go today til 6:30-7 when it is emptier & cooler
Emirati Sultan Al Qassemi is visiting Cairo, and took this picture [9]:
[9]Long queue for all-male voting station at Orman school in Dokki. Image posted by @SultanAlQassemi.
Kareem Hosem in Cairo commented:
@akaHoezy [10]: I dream of a day when men & women can stand in one line to vote without trouble. Gender segregation should be a thing of the past. #EgyElex
Journalist Adam Makary in Suez took us through the voting process:
@adamakary [11]: First, you show your national ID card to match your number with those registered to vote. Then, you sign #Suez #EgyElex
[11]Image posted by @adamakary.
@adamakary [12]: Second step, pick up your voting card. #Suez #EgyElex
[12]Image posted by @adamakary.
@adamakary [13]: And you wait… with ballot and pen in hand. #Suez #EgyElex
[13]Image posted by @adamakary.
@adamakary [14]: After you tick off the box selecting your preferred candidate, you drop your ballot into a sealed box. #Suez #EgyElex
[14]Image posted by @adamakary.
@adamakary [15]: Finally, you collect your ID card, dip your finger in purple, permanent ink and off you go. #Suez #EgyElex
[15]Image posted by @adamakary.
Lilz voted, and commented:
@Booky_Lillz [16]: Is anyone else's skin reacting to the dye? I think Im getting hives! #EgyElex #EgyPresElection
Nadeen Hafez in Cairo voted with pride:
@NadeenHafez [17]: Took me 3 hours and a half to vote. Totally worth it. All for you, Egypt! #EgyElex #PresidentialElections
Omar Elimam could not believe the change in Egypt:
@elimam_o [18]: Simply put, I still cannot comprehend that I'm going to vote for #Egypt's president. #egyelex
BBC Middle East Editor Jeremy Bowen spoke to a voter:
@jfjbowen [19]: I asked one woman in the queue to vote how long she'd been waiting. 30 years she said with a big laugh #EgyPresElection
For more on the presidential elections see this Storify [20] by Asteris Masouras.
This post is part of our special coverage of Egypt Elections 2011/2012 [1].