Hosni Mubarak period has been messy for Egypt as the country attempts to carve out a new, democratic destiny for itself after decades of dictatorship posing as a sham democracy. The central tussle has been between pro-democracy protesters and the military council that has ruled Egypt since Mubarak's overthrow. Ever since Mubarak was sent packing in February 2011, there has been a widespread trust deficit between the people and the military council. In the meantime, liberals, leftists, Islamists and remnants of the Mubarak order have all been trying to shape the trajectory Egypt takes, with the generals keeping a close eye on the whole process. Presidential elections are scheduled for May 23, with run-offs slated for mid-June. Egypt's military government must keep its word and hand over power to civilians fully while ensuring transparent and violence-free elections. If the people feel the generals are tinkering with the democratic process, it will only create further instability in the country. After all, the people of Egypt did not overthrow the Mubarak regime to replace it with a military dictatorship.
