A Vote for the Muslim Brotherhood

Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood ahead in Vote Count

Al-Akhbar English
Wednesday, November 30 2011

Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood is leading in the opening round of parliamentary elections in the first poll since the fall of former President Hosni Mubarak, press reports said on Wednesday.

Early signs show the Muslim Brotherhood's Freedom and Justice Party is ahead in six provinces, the state-owned Al-Ahram newspaper reported.

According to the independent daily Al-Shorouk, in Cairo "the first signs show the Freedom and Justice Party with 47 percent of the votes, and 22 percent for the Egyptian bloc," a coalition of secular parties.

Egyptians voted on Monday and Tuesday in Cairo and Alexandria to elect representatives of the new lower house.

A staggered elections system means final results are not expected until mid-January 2012.

Parliamentary elections were held under Mubarak's regime, but often rigged to ensure his National Democratic Party always won a majority.

Long oppressed under Mubarak, the Muslim Brotherhood remained Egypt's largest and most organized opposition party, which is expected to be reflected in election results.

The elections came after a tense week of mass protests against the nation's military rulers, with at least 42 people killed and over 2,000 injured.