Egypt elections and Tahrir protests: what does the future hold?

Egyptians who have helped chart the revolution online tell us what the country's post-Mubarak elections mean to them. Our correspondent Jack Shenker joined the thread to discuss the situation with them

Egyptian women wave flags during a rally in Cairo's Tahrir Square. Photograph: Amr Nabil/AP

Protests have once more rocked Egypt with demonstrators re-entering Tahrir Square, just before the country is expected to take to the polls to elect a parliament after 30 years of dictatorial rule by Hosni Mubarak.

We asked a group of Egyptians who have been tweeting, blogging and commenting on the Guardian site throughout the revolution for their take on the country's future.

• Do you think the 'revolution' has succeeded?
• Who do you think will win the election?
• Is Egypt of today different from this time last year?
• Can elections still take place in the current climate?

Here's what they told us sent via email and we're hoping they'll join the thread below to discuss what's happening in Egypt and plans for the country's elections.

Our correspondent in Cairo Jack Shenker joined the thread below to discuss the elections and how he sees the country's politics emerging from the latest protests.

Hatem Rushdy, 43, business owner and father of three

Hatem describes himself as a "proud revolutionary". He is editor of 18 Days in Tahrir: Stories from the Egyptian Revolution.

Calling the revolution a success or failure is like deciding the result of a football match 45 minutes into the game. The revolution is at best halfway through. The seven-eight month hiatus was a result of the misguided perception that removing Mubarak from the presidency was the ultimate objective. The past months have proven that Mubarak is not the regime, rather just the ugly tip of a hideous iceberg. This is why we are back in Tahrir.

Scaf [Supreme Council of the Armed Forces] has loyally copied Mubarak's tactics of evasion, crisis creation, non-responsiveness, aggression and divisiveness in order to delay meeting just about every single demand made by the revolution. Mubarak's trial is moving at a snail's pace while political activists tried in military courts receive summary trials and speedy sentences. Handing over of power (promised to happen in six months) has not happened, rather Selmy's recent proposal for a supra-constitutional document, gives the army powers Mubarak himself did not enjoy. One could go on.

I believe presidential and parliamentary elections must be held on time with perhaps a minor (days not weeks) adjustment for parliamentary elections. Winners are likely to include the Muslim Brotherhood (30-40%), ex-NDP members under various banners (15-20%), other Islamists, liberals and independents the rest equally or thereabouts.

In terms of presidential candidates, the two frontrunners seem to be Dr ElBaradei and one of the two Islamic candidates Salah Abu Ismail and Abdul Moneim Aboul Fotouh. If Baradei were to become president and one of the other two his VP, it may be a good thing. It would give the west a familiar face to deal with and Egypt a capable technocrat, while responding to the clearly voiced demand for a conservative force at or near the top.

hz, commenter on Guardian live blogs of Egypt protests in February

As an Egyptian living aboard I was heart and soul with the revolution. While all the demands have not been achieved, I believe that the entrenched barrier of fear has definitely been broken. As a result, average Egyptians can dare to take charge of their destiny, can plan and hope and elect their own representation to govern the country, and can now consider they count as human beings. The situation on the ground is still not enabling the fruition of these dreams, but the hope and the fortitude is now apparent. This is a huge achievement. This is what is different in Egypt today.

Having been oppressed by corrupt regimes for generations, we now dare to speak out and we do not lack hopes or dreams for a better Egypt, but we still need the training, the time and the discipline. We are like a toddler who has taken his first steps and immediately aspires to win the marathon. It is achievable, but with time and training, and most importantly with conviction.

I hope that a liberal majority will win the parliamentary elections. However, I am mindful that many of the "liberal" group parties are new and may not be able to take the majority from the more seasoned parties already on the ground. I believe that the new parliament will be a mix of all groups with no definite majority going to one group.

Sarah Gheita, computer science lecturer and mother of two

In my opinion the revolution didn't succeed yet. I expect elections result to be: ikhwan (25-30%) , salaf parties (10-15%), old and new parties (20%), feloul of the old regime (25%) and revolutionaries (15%). I hope only the revolutionary liberal parties and coalitions win, but to be realistic this will not happen.

Egypt today is not better politically than Egypt this time last year, the feelings of Egyptians are different though. People expect more, hope for more. They are willing to fight more for their rights. Yes, some are more desperate now than after the revolution, but in general Egyptians are more aware of their rights, and the proof all the strikes. I don't think the elections can take place in the current climate, I hope it takes place though. I hope Scaf steps down and gives power to presidential council formed of Egypt's presidential candidates.

Ahmad Taha, 37, network and security services manager in Cairo

The parliamentary elections might be a good step to claim democracy from the military rulers, since there will be a group of people speaking on behalf of all of the Egyptians. This "group" has the ability to mobilise on the ground and not just the internet in order to provide real services for the people. Currently I think both the Muslim Brotherhood (El-Horeya Wel-Adala party) and Salafis (El-Noor party) have these characteristics in common. I don't hope for a certain party but may the best for the country win. Whoever wins will be under a close audit from the people, who have changed and will not allow the previous farce to repeat itself. Currently people are willing to secure the elections' committees by themselves insisting that the elections are held on time.

I feel Egypt today is different than this time last year as currently I see Egyptians have hope in their future so that they are ready to sacrifice their lives for a better future for their country. I see hope and determination within people's eyes, two words that have, for a long time, been forgotten.