Egyptians living abroad began casting their ballots on Friday in the first phase of the 2025 parliamentary elections, held across 136 embassies and consulates in 117 countries, according to the National Election Authority (NEA).
The two-day vote, taking place on November 7 and 8, marks the launch of the legislative electoral process for the new House of Representatives. Polls are open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. local time, with a one-hour break at the discretion of each polling station, as set out by the NEA.
Voters registered on the electoral rolls can cast their ballots in person, by direct and secret suffrage, upon presentation of a national ID card or valid passport.
NEA Chairman Hazem Badawy told the state news agency MENA that “all preparations have been completed” to ensure a smooth voting process. He called on voters to participate “positively and effectively,” stressing the authority’s full neutrality and its commitment to maintaining a level playing field for all candidates.
Diplomatic and consular staff are overseeing the voting, ballot opening, and counting processes, assisted by employees of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The NEA is monitoring proceedings in real time through a central operations room connected by video link to all missions abroad.
Badawy noted that no violations had been reported during the campaign period, with technical committees monitoring electoral propaganda on a daily basis.
This first phase covers 14 governorates, including Giza, Fayoum, Beni Suef, Minya, Assiut, New Valley, Sohag, Qena, Luxor, Aswan, Red Sea, Alexandria, Beheira, and Matrouh. It also includes two major list constituencies: Upper Egypt, based in Giza and comprising 11 governorates with 100 seats, and the Western Delta, based in Alexandria with 42 seats.
Egyptians residing in the country will vote in this same phase on November 10 and 11. A second round and second phase of voting will follow, with final results expected by the end of the year.
MK/ac/lb/as/APA