Egypt’s presidential race kicked off on Saturday, with registration open for candidates to run the country after the popular uprising that ousted president Hosni Mubarak last year.

Egypt's presidential race kicked off on Saturday, with registration open for candidates to run the country after the popular uprising that ousted president Hosni Mubarak last year.

Hopefuls must be endorsed by at least 30 members of parliament or 30,000 eligible voters for the landmark election on May 23.

The poll comes during a turbulent transitional period during which the military has become the target of the crowds.

Frontrunners in the presidential race include former Arab League chief Amr Moussa, who was foreign minister under the rule of Mubarak, and Abdel Moneim Abul Fotuh, a former member of the Muslim Brotherhood.

Ex-head of the UN atomic watchdog Mohamed ElBaradei dropped out of the race earlier, complaining of a lack of democracy in Egypt.

Other candidates include Ahmad Shafiq, the last prime minister to serve under Mubarak, as well as Salafist leader Hazem Salah Abu Ismail, Nasserite head Hamdeen Sabahi and Islamist independent figure Salim Al-Awwa.

Mansour Hassan, head of a military-appointed advisory council, has also come forward as a potential candidate.

The registration process ends on April 8, after which candidates will begin campaigning.