CAIRO // Egyptians were waiting last night with a mixture of dread and confusion about what course the country will take next as polling station staff began counting votes in the second and final round of the presidential elections.
The race pits Mohammed Morsi, a prominent member of the Muslim Brotherhood, against Ahmed Shafiq, Hosni Mubarak's last prime minister.
There was no clear sign of who was in the lead when voting ended last night. Both campaigns expressed cautious optimism that their candidate was winning.
Turnout was much lower than at previous elections partly because of the dizzying developments over the past week.
The presidential elections were meant to be the last stage in the transition of power to a civilian government from the generals who took over from Mubarak.
But the Supreme Constitutional Court ruled on Thursday that parliament should be dissolved because a third of the elections were unconstitutional. That has reversed many of the democratic gains achieved over the past 16 months, especially the rise of the Muslim Brotherhood's Freedom and Justice Party as the most powerful political group in post-Mubarak Egypt.
Many commentators and political groups said the court's decisions amounted to a "soft coup" to wrench control from Islamist political groups.
If Mr Morsi wins, the group has the potential to steer the country back towards Islamist domination. Mr Shafiq has portrayed himself as the candidate to return stability to a country rocked by a revolution.
"This election could change our lives," said Wael Ahmed Mohammed, 34, an engineer. "I only hope who wins will take care of small businessmen and workers. We have been suffering too long. This is about the economy and security."