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Egypt holds run-off elections Egypt holds run-off elections
(about 15 hours later)
Egyptians are voting in the second round of elections for the upper house of parliament, the Shoura Council. Egyptians have voted in the second round of elections for the upper house of parliament, the Shoura Council.
Seventeen of the 88 seats on the consultative body are being contested, with the others having been decided in the first round last week.Seventeen of the 88 seats on the consultative body are being contested, with the others having been decided in the first round last week.
The ruling National Democratic Party won the vast majority of the seats.The ruling National Democratic Party won the vast majority of the seats.
The opposition Muslim Brotherhood, which won no seats, afterwards accused the authorities of harassment and committing widescale irregularities.The opposition Muslim Brotherhood, which won no seats, afterwards accused the authorities of harassment and committing widescale irregularities.
There are unconfirmed reports that scuffles broke out during a second round run-off between an NDP candidate and an independent allied to the party in the Nile Delta province of Minoufiya.There are unconfirmed reports that scuffles broke out during a second round run-off between an NDP candidate and an independent allied to the party in the Nile Delta province of Minoufiya.
"Thugs expelled representatives of an independent candidate from some polling places and stuffed ballot boxes in favour of the ruling party candidate," an Egyptian journalist told Reuters news agency."Thugs expelled representatives of an independent candidate from some polling places and stuffed ballot boxes in favour of the ruling party candidate," an Egyptian journalist told Reuters news agency.
Opposition boycottOpposition boycott
Last week, an opposition supporter was shot dead during clashes outside a polling station in the country's north.Last week, an opposition supporter was shot dead during clashes outside a polling station in the country's north.
There are 264 seats in the upper house, which has very limited legislative powers; 176 are elected in two tranches, and 88 appointed by the president.There are 264 seats in the upper house, which has very limited legislative powers; 176 are elected in two tranches, and 88 appointed by the president.
Correspondents say these are the first elections to be held in Egypt after changes to the constitution aimed in part at limiting the electoral chances of the Muslim Brotherhood, an Islamist movement. These are the first elections to be held in Egypt after changes to the constitution aimed in part, correspondents say, at limiting the electoral chances of the Muslim Brotherhood, an Islamist movement.
The constitution has been changed to ban political activity based on religion and to weaken judicial supervision of elections.The constitution has been changed to ban political activity based on religion and to weaken judicial supervision of elections.
Two major opposition parties, al-Wafd and the Nasserite Arab Democratic Party, are boycotting the elections.Two major opposition parties, al-Wafd and the Nasserite Arab Democratic Party, are boycotting the elections.