UN Secretary-General Ban Ki- moon on Friday commended the government of Egypt for its organization of presidential elections and the country's people for their participation in the polls.

"The secretary-general commends the Egyptian authorities for their organization of polling and the people of Egypt for their participation, and he welcomes initial reports of a strong turnout of women voters," Martin Nesirky, the UN spokesman, told reporters at a daily news briefing here.

The vote for Egypt's new president began on May 23, and the new leader is expected to take office by June 30. Egyptians have also voted to elect a new parliament for their country this year.

The secretary-general is following the Egyptian elections "with interest," and "also notes the calm and positive atmosphere in which the voting took place and looks forward to the credible and peaceful conclusion of this process," according to Nesirky.

"These historic elections, in which Egyptians will freely choose their president from amongst numerous candidates, are an important milestone in Egypt's democratic transition," the spokesman said.