Voters mark their ballots at a polling station in Giza, the twin city of Cairo, during the parliamentary elections. AFP
In a press briefing, NEA Executive Director Ahmed Bendary said polling stations would remain open until the last voter casts their ballot, assuring that all eligible voters present at polling sites are being allowed to vote.
He said the authority had completed all logistical preparations to facilitate the process across 5,606 subcommittees under 70 main committees in 14 governorates.
Bendary reported two medical incidents involving election officials, one judge in Beheira’s Delengat district who was injured and replaced, and another committee head in Minya who was hospitalized after fainting.
He urged anyone facing voter coercion to immediately report it for investigation, noting that the authority’s central operations room had received no such complaints so far.
The NEA stated that it had made special provisions for elderly voters and persons with disabilities, including easier access, seating, and assistance inside polling stations. Voters can verify their assigned stations through the NEA website or its mobile app.
To ensure transparency, the authority is holding three daily press briefings during the two-day vote: at 10am to confirm openings, 4pm for mid-day turnout, and 9pm to monitor closures.
Addressing questions about the absence of indelible ink, Bendary explained that it is used only in presidential elections and national referendums, mainly for expatriate voters, and is unnecessary in parliamentary elections since each voter is registered to a single polling station.
He acknowledged reports of crowding and disorganization at some sites but said officials were working to ease the flow of voters.
The first phase of elections covers 70 constituencies in 14 governorates, with 1,281 candidates running for individual seats and party lists competing in Upper Egypt and the West Delta regions.
According to the NEA, more than 35.2 million Egyptians are eligible to vote in this phase, covering Giza, Beni Suef, Fayoum, Minya, Assiut, New Valley, Sohag, Qena, Luxor, Aswan, Red Sea, Alexandria, Beheira, and Marsa Matrouh.
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