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Egypt: Candidates and supporters sign up for presidential poll

Some 25,000 signatures of support are needed by candidates seeking to run for the Egyptian presidency There is no shortage of people ready to show their backing for ex-military strongman Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, who is expected to win May’s poll easily. Seen by supporters as a national saviour, he quit the army to stand. It was under his command that last July it ousted Islamist President Mohamed Mursi, Egypt’s first freely- elected leader. A bloody crackdown against his Muslim Brotherhood followed. Despite the result being in little doubt, some ordinary citizens want to try their chance as candidates. “Love for my country makes me come here to participate in the presidential race,” would-be candidate Taher Aljondi told euronews in the northeastern city of Ismailia. “I want things to be much better, Egypt is a big and great country. It has got abilities and potential, and if they are used in a good way, we will be a strong nation.” Security is tight, with al-Sisi reviled by the Islamist opposition. Since the army toppled Mursi, Egypt has suffered the worst internal strife in its modern history.