Egyptian expats start voting in parliamentary election runoffs

Egyptian embassies and consulates in 139 countries opened their doors on Monday to receive expats wishing to cast their ballots in the runoffs of the first phase of the parliamentary elections.

Polls will remain open from 9am to 9pm Monday and Tuesday, according to each country’s local time.

The domestic runoffs will take place on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Last week, 30,531 Egyptian expats cast their vote in the elections, according to the High Elections Committee (HEC).

Voters choose candidates to represent their districts in 14 governorates.

The second stage of the parliamentary elections, when voters from the remaining 13 governorates will cast their ballots, will take place on 21-22 November for Egyptians abroad, and 22-23 November for voters at home.

Egypt’s parliament — the House of Representatives — ‎will be comprised of 596 members, 448 elected as independents ‎and 120 from party-based lists. The remaining 28 seats ‎will be filled by presidential appointees.

The country has been without a parliament since the previous house, elected in late 2011, was dissolved in June 2012 after a court ruled electoral laws unconstitutional.

President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi currently holds legislative powers.

Once a parliament is in place its members will have to vote on the laws issued by El-Sisi and his predecessor, interim president Adly Mansour.

source: Ahram Online