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Egypt Votes In Long-Delayed Parliamentary Elections

The first round of long-delayed elections to choose a new parliament have opened in Egypt. The elections  are the first parliamentary polls since the previous … Continue reading Egypt Votes In Long-Delayed Parliamentary Elections


Egyptians begin electionsThe first round of long-delayed elections to choose a new parliament have opened in Egypt.

The elections  are the first parliamentary polls since the previous chamber was dissolved by a court ruling in 2012.

The authorities described the election as the final step in a transition to democracy.

Critics, however, said that most of the candidates are supporters of President Abdul Fattah al-Sisi and the new parliament is likely to strengthen his control.

President Sisi, a former general, led the 2013 military overthrow of Islamist President, Mohammed Morsi, following months of unrest.

Mr Morsi’s party, the Muslim brotherhood, won about half the seats in the last parliament, but it has been banned and its leaders are in jail with some facing death sentences.

Election results after two rounds of voting, are not expected to be known until early December.

Voters are choosing 596 members for the lower house of  the House of Representatives.

The elections are being held amid heavy security, as the country had witnessed several attacks carried out by militants loyal to the Islamic State group over the past years.

At least 185,000 soldiers and 180,00 police personnel had been deployed to polling booths across the country.