Egyptian expats in many countries, including Senegal, the UK, Morocco, Tunisia, and Algeria, are casting their ballots for the second day on Thursday in the first stage of House of Representatives elections.

Some 140 polling stations opened on Wednesday at Egyptian embassies and consulates in 124 countries to receive mail-in ballots.

Registered voters abroad were asked to print their ballot papers on Monday and Tuesday by entering their registration code on the Egyptian National Election Authority website.

The ballot papers must be placed in envelopes with a voter declaration, photocopies of the voter’s national ID or passport, and residency documents.

The papers must be sent via express mail to the electoral committee of their country’s diplomatic mission.

The last day of voting for expats is Friday.

The electoral race, which is heavily fielded by pro-government party Mostaqbal Watan candidates, is scheduled to take place over two stages between 21 October and 8 December.

The first stage covers 14 governorates and takes place from 21 October to 30 November, while the second stage covers 13 governorates from 4 November to 14 December.

The 596-seat assembly will be filled via the individual candidacy system and closed party lists system equally, while 28 seats (five percent) will be named by the president, as per the recent amendments to the elections law.

Voting abroad in the first phase is scheduled to end on Friday, while voting is slated at home for Saturday and Sunday.