Senate Elections Kick Off in Egypt
(MENAFN) Egyptians began casting their ballots Monday in Senate elections, marking the start of a two-day national vote in which over 69 million citizens are eligible to participate.
Polling stations opened their doors at 9 a.m. local time (07:00 GMT) across more than 8,000 locations nationwide, according to MENA, the state-run news agency. The election process is being supervised by judicial authorities and will continue through Tuesday evening.
A total of 424 candidates are vying for 100 seats under the individual candidacy system. Among them are 183 independents and 241 candidates backed by political parties. An additional 100 seats are being contested through a unified nationwide slate called the “National List for Egypt,” which spans the country’s four constituencies.
The National Election Authority reported that over 9,000 judicial officials from the State Lawsuits Authority and the Administrative Prosecution Authority are presiding over 8,825 subcommittees, operating within 8,286 polling centers. They are supported by approximately 65,000 staffers.
The electoral process is under observation by nine international organizations, 59 local NGOs, and delegations representing 20 diplomatic missions. Around 25,000 accredited observers from domestic, regional, and international media outlets are also covering the vote.
President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly cast their votes in Cairo and Giza governorates, respectively. After voting, Madbouly called on citizens to “actively and responsibly in this national duty.”
Egyptians living abroad had already voted on Friday and Saturday at 136 polling stations located in 117 countries.
Preliminary election results will be released on August 12. On the same day, campaigning for any necessary runoff elections will begin. The runoff is scheduled for August 25–26 for overseas voters and August 27–28 for domestic voters. Final results are expected to be published in the official gazette on September 4.
The Senate, which comprises 300 members, serves primarily in an advisory capacity. Two-thirds of its members are elected, while the remaining third are appointed by the president.
In accordance with the constitution, the upper house reviews proposed amendments to the constitution, development strategies submitted by the government, international treaties involving national sovereignty, and any legislation forwarded by the president or the House of Representatives, Egypt’s lower parliamentary chamber.
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