Egypt's turbulent transition to democracy since the historic Revolution of 2011 will be tested once again when the country is scheduled to hold its first Presidential elections later this month. Cairo remains tense after the latest eruption of violence, this time sparked by the Supreme Presidential Electoral Commission's decision to disqualify the candidacy of a popular ultra-conservative Salafi preacher, a decision seen by many to have been orchestrated by the military junta that has ruled the country since the ousting of Hosni Mubarak.

Three main candidates have emerged as the front runners....