Queues have formed at many polling stations as Egyptians vote in the first elections since former President Hosni Mubarak was toppled in February.

Polling started late in some places because of administrative problems, but officials have now extended voting hours there to midnight local time.

A high turnout is being reported in many areas, and in places queues were said to stretch up to 3km (two miles).

At the same time, Cairo's Tahrir Square is still occupied by protesters who want the poll to be postponed.

The head of the ruling military council has said Egypt is "at a crossroad

The last nine days has seen a revival of the protest movement which forced Mr Mubarak from office, with hundreds gathered at its hub, in Tahrir Square.

At least 41 protesters have been killed and more than 2,000 wounded as tensions flared in recent days in the Arab world's most populous state.

The voting begins an election timetable which lasts until March 2012. The first stage, running until January, covers elections to the 508-member People's Assembly.

About 50 million people are eligible to vote out of a population in excess of 85 million - with candidates from 50 registered political parties.

Analysts say the voting procedure is complex and there has been little time for campaigning, so it is unclear how many people will cast ballots.

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