Egypt Panel Definitely Bars Presidential Hopefuls Egypt's election commission has rejected the appeals of three main contenders for president, definitely disqualifying them from running for the country's top job. The decision Tuesday confirmed an initial disqualification this weekend, which shocked many ahead of the first presidential elections after the ouster of President Hosni Mubarak, who ruled for nearly 30 years. The elections are due to begin on May 23. The decision was carried by Egypt's state news agency. This removes the top three contenders, Mubarak-era strongman Omar Suleiman, Muslim Brotherhood chief strategist Khairat el-Shater and hard-line lawyer-turned-preacher Hazem Abu Ismail. Supporters of Abu Ismail have gathered outside the commission headquarters in protest.