The second and final round of Shura Council (Egypt's upper, consultative house of parliament) elections kicks off Tuesday and will wrap-up on Wednesday.

Fourteen governorates will take in this final stage: Giza, Qalioubiya, Sharqiya, Beheira, Kafr El-Sheikh, Ismailiya, Port Said, Suez, Marsa Matrouh, Beni Suef, Minya, Sohag, Luxor and Aswan.

The run-offs will take place on 22 February.

The first round of the Shura Council – swept by the Muslim Brotherhood's Freedom and Justice Party and the Salafist Nour Party – saw a low voter turnout.

Turnout in the previous round was 15 per cent over two days of voting in 13 governorates – including Alexandria, North Sinai and Daqahliya – notably lower than in the recently completed People’s Assembly (lower house) elections.

Shura Council's opening session is scheduled for 28 February.