Egypt Sets Presidential Vote For September 2011

Egypt Sets Presidential Vote For September 2011

Egypt has scheduled its presidential election for September next year and the ruling party will meet by July to choose its candidate.

The party's policy chief, who is the president's son, Gamal Mubarak, announced the date while addressing party supporters.

''Presidential elections are in September next year, you'll find out who the eventual candidate is when the party convenes some time before the process starts next July and makes its final official decision,'' Gamal Mubarak, 47 , said.

Analysts say the rules for the election guarantee that the ruling National Democratic Party's nominee will win.

In Egypt 's first multi-candidate race in 2005, President Hosni Mubarak won easily.

NDP officials have indicated that Mubarak, 82, is likely to run next year if he is able to.

If not, many believe Gamal or a candidate with a military background could run in his place.

A leaked diplomatic cable released by WikiLeaks quoted the US ambassador to Cairo , Margaret Scobey, as saying Mubarak will ‘inevitably' run in 2011 and stay in office until he dies.

Both Mubaraks have denied any plan for a family succession.

REUTERS/Margaret/Yinka