Egypt’s electoral system is “complicated and difficult for any ordinary Egyptian to comprehend and implement,” experts believe, as political powers remain optimistic that it will help them secure a place in a parliament long dominated by members of the former regime.
The first parliamentary elections following the ouster of president Hosni Mubarak are expected to attract an electorate that traditionally boycotted elections. Over 18 million Egyptians voted in a referendum in March, an indication of voter confidence in a new era free of the rigging and electoral fraud that tainted the previous one. However, voters are concerned that they will find it difficult to figure out the system, which could ultimately spoil their vote.
According to the amended parliament law, eligible voters will choose two individual candidates and one party list first in the People’s Assembly (PA) elections, which start Nov. 28, then in the Shoura Council elections, which being late January 2012.
In addition to fears that some would inadvertently void their vote by confusing ballot boxes or making extra marks on their ballot papers, for example, many still don’t know how the votes will be counted.
Full Article: Elections 101: Egypt’s new electoral system explained.
