Egyptian parliament

The Egyptian government has not interfered into the parliamentary elections, it just secured needed facilities, the Egyptian envoy to the US said.

During a meeting late Tuesday with a number of US Congress members, Yasser Reda said the turnout is not the main issue, what is important is that the elections were free and fair.

He said Egypt is taking the first step toward a sound parliamentary life to establish a democratic state in the future.

He said US State Department officials and media are understanding that Egypt is on the beam.

Parliamentary elections are the third and last obligation of the roadmap plan in Egypt.

Runoffs were held on Monday and Tuesday for Egyptian expatriates and on Tuesday and Wednesday for Egyptians at home over 213 seats out of 222 seats contested in the second stage.

The second stage covers 13 governorates of Cairo, Qalioubiya, Daqahliya, Menoufiya, Gharbiya, Kafr el Sheikh, Sharqiya, Damietta, Port Said, Ismailia, Suez, North Sinai and South Sinai.

Nine seats have already been secured in the second stage.

All list-based seats were won by For the Love of Egypt in the first and second stages.

Sources: MENA