Egypt holds first parliamentary elections in three years
Egyptians went to the polls on Sunday as the country kicked off its first parliamentary elections since 2012. Out of the 596 seats up for grabs in Egypt’s lower house, 448 will be decided through direct voting, 120 will be chosen by the different parties and 28 are to be determined by the president. Since the Muslim Brotherhood has been outlawed and many of its leaders and members are in prison, Egypt’s public confidence in the democratic process is low. Thus, with many young people being prevented from voting, the election is likely to strengthen President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi.