Hundreds of police and troops backed by armored vehicles set up a security ring around Egypt's highest court ahead of a ruling Thursday on the country's presidential election and the legitimacy of its Islamist-dominated parliament.

The Supreme Constitutional Court, housed in a Nile side structure resembling an ancient Egyptian temple, is expected to rule on whether Hosni Mubarak's last prime minister, Ahmed Shafiq, can contest the presidential runoff vote on Saturday and Sunday against Islamist Mohammed Morsi.

The two finished as top vote-getters from the first round of the election last month. The two-man race has polarized the nation, with many viewing Shafiq as an extension of the authoritarian Mubarak regime. Many also fear that Morsi will inject more religion into government and curtail freedoms if he wins.