Egyptian presidential race wide open

From Egypt Independent:

A poll on the popularity of presidential candidates conducted by the Information and Decision Support Center (IDSC), a think-tank associated with the Egyptian Cabinet, showed that Abdel Moneim Abouel Fotouh led the presidential field, although nearly 40 percent said they were undecided.

According to the poll, Abouel Fotouh’s 9 percent support was followed by Ahmed Shafiq who garnered 8 percent. Shafiq rose one rank as compared to a poll conducted by the IDSC in April.

The results of the poll, which was published Thursday said that Amr Moussa stood at 7 percent support, falling into third place. The Muslim Brotherhood’s candidate Mohamed Morsy came fourth with 4 percent, while Hamdeen Sabbahi was fifth with 2 percent.

The poll said that the 39 percent are yet to decide on a candidate, down from 42 percent in April. Eight percent of people, meanwhile, said they would not participate in the election and 6 percent refused to name their candidate.

Fotouh is a former leader of the Muslim Brotherhood, and who has garnered support from both secularists and from Salafists.

Shafiq was the last prime minister under Mubarak, making his second place showing a bit surprising in a country trying to remove the "remnants" of the Mubarak regime.

Amr Moussa is the former secretary general of the Arab League and had been considered the front-runner.

With such a small percentage of people supporting even the leading candidates, and so many undecided, this election can go to anyone.