The Freedom and Justice Party (FJP) is leading parliamentary polls across Egypt, according to early estimates Wednesday.
Egyptians cast their ballots Monday and Tuesday in the first round of parliamentary elections, held in nine governorates. Elections will continue over several phases into January.
With the backing of the Muslim Brotherhood and its ability to organize and mobilize supporters, many expected the FJP to dominate the polls.
In Luxor, where about 80 percent of ballots have been counted, FJP appears to lead the vote, closely followed by the Salafi Nour Party. The liberal Egyptian Bloc and moderate Wasat Party won far fewer votes in that governorate. For the single-winner professional seat in the governorate, FJP candidate Abdel Mawgoud Dardeer leads over Hatem Mokhtar, the candidate from Jama'a al-Islamiya's Construction and Development Party. For the workers’ seat, Khaled Abdel Moneim Farrag, a former National Democratic Party member and a candidate for Horreya Party, seemed to be leading over Radwan Abu Qareen, a former MP.
In Port Said, 70 percent of the votes have been counted and indicators show that a run-off vote is likely between FJP candidate Akram al-Shaer and independent George Ishaq, the first coordinator for the Kefaya movement. Leftist candidate al-Badry Farghaly leads over Nour Party candidate Ali Fouda for the worker's seat. However, a run-off vote may still be needed for a conclusive win. For the list-based candidacy seats, indicators show that the FJP leads, followed by the Nour, Free Egyptian and Wasat parties.
In Cairo's eighth constituency, which includes Dar al-Salam, Misr al-Qadeema, Sayeda Zeinab, Khalifa and Moqattam, early indicators show FJP candidates Khaled Hanafy and Youssry Bayoumy lead over human rights activist Hafez Abu Seda. The Salafi Nour Party and FJP lead the party list vote, with the Egyptian Bloc and Wafd trailing behind.
In Helwan, FJP leads for list-based candidacy seats while the Nour Party and the Egyptian Bloc and the Conservative Party are competing for second place. The Wafd Party has so far only received a few votes. For the professional seat, there is strong competition between independent candidate Mostafa Bakry and Nour candidate Ahmed al-Dory.
In the fourth constituency of Nasr City, indicators show that independent candidate Amr Hamzawy is likely to win the professional seat.
In Assiut's first constituency, where 70 percent of votes have been counted, FJP leads, followed by Nour Party and the Egyptian Bloc. In the second constituency, FJP leads, followed by the Conservative Party.
In the Red Sea Governorate, FJP tops the polls, followed by the Egyptian Bloc and the Egyptian Citizen Party. For the single-winner professional seat, early results show a run-off vote is likely between FJP candidate Abdel Aziz Qatamesh and independent candidate Samir Hares.
In Kafr al-Sheikh, Nour Party appears to lead the first constituency, followed by FJP and then the Wafd Party. In the second constituency, FJP leads, followed by Nour and then Egypt National and Wafd parties.
