Islamists have trounced their liberal rivals in the opening phase of Egypt’s first election since the fall of Hosni Mubarak, with one in four voters choosing hardline Salafists.

Islamist parties won 65 percent of all votes cast for parties in the first round of parliamentary polls last week. The main secular liberal coalition managed just 13.4 percent.

Ashleigh Dollin asked Doctor Noah Bassil, lecturer in international politics at Macquarie University what the early results indicate.

This interview went to air on SBS radio’s World News Australia AM program on the 6th December 2011.