Egypt begins voting in parliamentary elections

Egypt began its long-awaited first phase of parliamentary elections on Sunday, a historic step toward political reform but one that is unlikely to bring real change.

Voters across the most populous Arab country are choosing from among 5,000 candidates for 508 seats in the lower house of parliament. A second round will take place next month. Results are not expected until March.

The elections have been long delayed and marred by controversy. More than 7,000 independent political groups were denied the right to run, but many small parties allied with them remain in the race. There are about 50 million eligible voters.

Officially, the vote is aimed at bringing democracy to Egypt, a country ruled since 1981 by Hosni Mubarak, whose government has been criticized as authoritarian and corrupt.

But it's more likely designed to shore up support for Mubarak ahead of presidential elections that must be held by September. The president is certain to win those, but his term was extended in a constitutional amendment approved Saturday — with 75 percent voter approval, according to the government.

The vote also gives Mubarak an opportunity to strengthen his position against Islamist extremism at home and abroad.

The main purpose of this election is to shore up the regime, said Shafiq Allam, a former lawmaker. The regime needs to prove that it still has its grip on the country.

Opposition groups hope the vote can help build a true opposition bloc in parliament to challenge Mubarak's rule and end decades of emergency laws that give police wide-ranging powers.

We have a huge task ahead, said Ayman Nour, leader of the secular Tomorrow Party, which is running 140 candidates. The ruling party has been able to control all facets of life in Egypt for years.

Egyptian democracy activists were elated when former President Jimmy Carter announced he would monitor the vote on behalf of his organization, the Carter Center.

I hope this will help ensure that the process is credible and transparent, said Carter, who won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002. It's a very important election for Egypt.

The government has denied repeated international requests to have foreign monitors at polling stations, saying it does not want interference from abroad in what it insists is an internal matter.

Many Egyptians welcomed the vote but were skeptical of its outcome. The ruling party and groups allied with it are expected to win most seats despite widespread dissatisfaction with Mubarak's rule.

This election will change nothing, said Mohammed Fouad, a 33-year-old unemployed engineer. The people in power always control everything.

Edward Lance Arellano Lorilla

CEO / Co-Founder

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