Tahrir Square - the epicentre of last year's uprising - quiet the morning after Egypt's first free presidential elections.

While votes are still being counted, early indicators point to a run off between the Muslim Brotherhood's candidate, Mohamed Mursi, and ousted leader Hosni Mubarak's last prime minister, Ahmed Shafiq.

The run off is planned for June 16 and 17.

The outcome is polarising Egyptians with some determined not to hand the presidency to a former Mubarak man and others who fear an Islamist political monopoly.

Opponents of Shafiq say they will take to the streets if he wins.

(SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) VOTER, KHALED EL-ABBAD, SAYING:

"If the Military Council tries to impose Ahmed Shafiq, then the revolution will begin all over again, the 25th of January revolution will begin again. And let me tell you with certainty, that if they announce that Ahmed Shafiq is the president of Egypt, Tahrir square will erupt."

Others however are more optimistic about the future.

(SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) VOTER, AYMAN, SAYING:

"I think that as soon as a president takes over, God willing, there won't be any problems or any revolution or anything like that, because from now on there will be the rule of law, and the country will be put in order, and be better than it was in the past. It will be better than during Mubarak's era, because he force the people to live without freedom."

Mursi's strong showing demonstrates the Muslim Brotherhood's significant electoral power, after sweeping the parliamentary elections earlier this year.

Egyptians will have to wait until next week for the official results to be announced.

Sunita Rappai, Reuters