Islamists continue momentum in Egypt's parliamentary vote
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Xinhua, January 8, 2012
Major Islamists parties in Egypt continued their momentum in the third stage of the People's Assembly elections after they gained more than 60 percent in the first two phases.
The Muslim Brotherhood's Freedom and Justice Party claimed on Saturday on its website that it won 35.2 percent of the votes for party lists in the People's Assembly (lower house of parliament) polls.
Abdel-Moez Ibrahim, chairman of the High Judicial Elections Commission, announced on Sunday evening that only five out of 50 seats for independents were secured in the first round of this stage and four went to the FJP and one to the Salafist Nour Party.
The turnout reached 62 percent in this round, he said, adding that some 8.67 million among 14.04 million eligible voters cast their ballots.
The run-off of the final phase will be held on Jan. 10 and 11 over the remaining 45 seats for independents.
The third stage of the vote with 150 seats up for grabs was held on Jan. 3 and 4 in nine governorates, namely Minya, Qalyubiya, Gharbiya, Daqahliya, North Sinai, South Sinai, New Valley, Matruh, and Qena.
The new assembly will hold its first meeting on Jan. 23.
The parliamentary elections started on Nov. 28 last year. In the first two phases, the FJP and Nour parties won more than 60 percent of the seats.
Egypt's ruling military council chief Hussein Tantawi ordered on Jan. 1 to shorten the voting of the Shura Council (upper house of parliament) by about 20 days. The vote will be held in two stages instead of three and will end on Feb.22. The new Shura Council will have its first session on Feb. 28.
