Egyptians have come out to vote for the first time since their January 25 uprising ousted former-leader Hosni Mubarak; and people say it is the calmest election they have ever seen in heavily armed upper Egypt.

It is not just men who are casting ballots either.

Women, both Muslim and Christian, have come out in full force to vote - an unusual scene in this conservative region of the country where women do not normally play a prominent role in politics.

Some election violations did occur as few parties continued to campaign even as voting was underway. But for the most part voting went smoothly.

Al Jazeera's Rawya Rageh reports from Assiut, upper Egypt.