Islamists take lead in Egyptian poll

Two Islamist groups are leading in Egypt’s elections with over 60 per cent of the total votes cast for party lists, partial results…

Two Islamist groups are leading in Egypt’s elections with over 60 per cent of the total votes cast for party lists, partial results showed today.

The results released by the high election commission showed the Muslim Brotherhood-affiliated Freedom and Justice party leading with 36.6 per cent of the valid ballots cast, with the ultra-conservative Nour party closely trailing with 24.3 per cent.

The first round results indicate that the liberal Egyptian Bloc garnered 13.3 per cent of the votes in the country’s first elections after President Hosni Mubarak stepped down in February.

This week’s voting will determine the membership of about 30 per cent of the 498-seat assembly.

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Ballots are cast over three rounds for both party lists and individual candidates.