Egyptians vote in parliamentary election

11-29-2010 08:27 BJT

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Egyptians are voting in a election, Sunday, for the lower house of parliament.

Polling stations opened its doors to 41 million eligible voters in Egypt’s parliamentary election.

Egyptian President’s Hosni Mubarak's ruling National Democratic Party NDP, is expected to maintain control of the new, 508-seat legislature.

The Muslim Brotherhood, the largest opposition group, is not expected to win as it did in 2005 when it surprised the nation with its victory of fifth of parliament seats.

Egypt has banned international supervision of elections but it permitted 76 local NGOs to monitor the voting process which critics claimed unfair.

5,039 candidates, including 378 women will compete, for 508 seats, including 64 seats allocated specifically to women MPs rising from only 2% in 2005 elections.

The NDP hopes its strong parliamentary majority will pave the way for its success in the 2011 presidential election in which Mubarak is expected to run for his sixth presidential term.