Mubarak Party Out in Force in Egypt Poll

Hosni Mubarak's party machine put on an overwhelming display of organisational strength yesterday as Egyptians voted in the country's first contested presidential election.

The 77-year-old president, who has ruled Egypt for the last 24 years, went into battle against nine opponents whose organisations were mainly invisible as voting took place.

At a polling station in the Agouza district of Cairo, members of the Mubarak Youth were on hand to assist voters. The president's National Democratic party had set up a "guidance" stall near the entrance which was decorated with pro-Mubarak posters. Staff checked voters' names before issuing them with a slip carrying the president's photograph and indicating where they should vote. A party official said the system, which had also been set up at other polling stations, was "to ease the flow of voters".

Even in the constituency of Ayman Nour - regarded as one of the two main opposition candidates - the streets were swamped with Mubarak banners and loudspeaker vans drove past the polling station urging people to vote for the incumbent.

There were several reports of minor scuffles. Outside the journalists' union, men on a Mubarak float clashed with supporters of the Kifaya (Enough) movement.

Although Mr Mubarak is expected to win by a huge margin, initial reports from witnesses suggested the turnout was relatively low.