Egyptians go to the polls next week to pick a replacement for ousted president Hosni Mubarak. It will be the country's first truly competitive presidential election.

Campaigning kicked off nearly three weeks ago with 13 candidates, including two Islamist frontrunners. It is set to be the country's first fair and free presidential election in modern history. The first round takes place on May 23rd and 24th, with about 50 million of Egypt's 82 million population eligible to vote. The US-based Carter Center says it has been given the green light to send 22 observers to monitor the election.