Egyptians vote in tightly managed elections expected to cement Sisi’s dominance, with opposition splintered and pro-government coalition unchallenged.
Egyptians headed to the polls Monday morning in a weeks-long parliamentary election process that critics say is designed to tighten President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi’s grip on power, according to AFP.
Polling stations opened at 9:00 a.m. local time to fill 568 of the 596 seats in the lower house, while the remaining 28 seats will be appointed directly by President Sisi, ensuring full executive control over the legislature. Egyptians abroad cast ballots over the weekend, while Cairo’s vote begins November 24 and final results are expected by December 25.
Under Egypt’s hybrid system, half the seats are filled through closed party lists and half through individual races, with 25% of seats reserved for women.
The elections follow a Senate vote two months ago, where turnout was a dismal 17% and the pro-Sisi “National List for Egypt” coalition swept nearly all seats uncontested. That same coalition — dominated by the Mostaqbal Watan (Nation’s Future) Party and the National Front Party, led by former minister Essam al-Gazzar — is once again expected to dominate parliament with little real opposition.
Independent and opposition parties remain fractured and under pressure, with some candidates opting to align with pro-government lists to avoid political marginalization. Observers say this election is a litmus test for Sisi’s plan to consolidate authority before his constitutionally final term expires in 2030.
Analysts believe Sisi’s objective is clear: to secure a loyal parliament capable of amending the constitution once again, potentially extending his rule beyond 2030.
Since rising to power after the 2013 military overthrow of Islamist president Mohammed Morsi, Sisi has methodically eliminated dissent, curtailed media freedoms, and placed Egypt’s politics firmly under military influence. After constitutional amendments in 2019 extended his second term and allowed a third, six-year mandate, Sisi easily won reelection in 2023, further entrenching his rule.
Despite government assurances of “free and fair elections,” turnout is expected to remain extremely low, reflecting deep public disillusionment with Egypt’s tightly controlled political scene.
