Egyptian Revolution Tested Ahead Of Vote

Egyptians are voting in the final stage of the country's presidential election, amid growing turmoil and accusations the old regime is trying to re-claim power.

The vote pits Ahmed Shafiq, ousted president Hosni Mubarak's last prime minister, against Mohamed Morsi of the Islamist Muslim Brotherhood.

It is a stark choice for many secular, moderate Egyptians who are unnerved by both candidates.

Some revolutionary activists have urged voters to boycott the election or spoil their ballots in protest.

The vote comes just a day after the military leadership ordered the dissolution of parliament, throwing Egypt's turbulent transition to democracy into more chaos.

The military was responding to Thursday's ruling by the country's constitutional court which declared the parliamentary election - completed six months ago - void.

The decision has sparked outrage and claims that the military, due to hand over power to civilian rule by the end of the month, is staging a "soft coup".

The Parliament was dominated by the Muslim Brotherhood and other Islamist parties.

The move means that the divisive presidential elections are taking place without a parliament or a new constitution and with the shadowy presence of the military apparently ready to fill the vacuum.

The Muslim Brotherhood has urged the country to "save the revolution" by voting for its candidate Mohamed Morsi in this weekend's run-off election.

But many Egyptians are alarmed by the prospect of Islamist rule.

His opponent, Ahmed Shafiq, a former general, is expected to win support from voters who are concerned by the increasingly unrest in the country and long for the restoration of stability.

His opponents say his victory would amount to the death of the revolution which forced his former boss Mubarak from power.

The outcome is hard to predict, but whoever wins the election will inherit a deeply divided country where mistrust dominates the political debate.