We, too, could use a guy like Ayman Nour

Democracy in Egypt?

Mr Mubarak faces a total of nine challengers. Most of them are little known or comedy candidates, including one who advocates men compulsorily wearing the tarboush -afez-style cap. In the absence of anyone from the outlawed Muslim Brotherhood, the main Islamist group, and with leftist parties boycotting the vote, Mr Nour, a 40-year-old lawyer and liberal MP, stood out.

Although, he has little chance of unseating Mr Mubarak, his willingness to push the boundaries could contribute to a rebirth of Egyptian politics.

The farce of an election is tomorrow. Mubarak has no chance of losing, but the political landscape looks quite different than it has. Too bad we don't have politicians with guts like Nour.