Egypt's High Election Commission said Wednesday that 26.6 per cent of voters participated in the first round of parliamentary elections earlier this week.
In a televised statement, it said that the vast majority of seats will now head to a runoff vote, which is scheduled to begin next Tuesday. Some seven million voters participated out of a total 27 million registered in the 14 governorates voting in this week's round, the first of two.
In a report carried by state news agency MENA, it said that For the Love of Egypt, one of the main pro-government parties, scored well in southern Egypt and across the country.
On Monday, the government gave government workers a half-day off in an attempt to boost low turnout in the vote, the first legislative elections since a chamber dominated by Islamists was dissolved by a court ruling in 2012, but there was no sign of increased activity at polling stations.
Monday was the second day of voting for the 14 provinces, including Cairo's twin city of Giza and the Mediterranean port city of Alexandria. Voting in Egypt's other 13 provinces, including Cairo, will take place next month.
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