Egypt Round Two

Round two of the Egyptian elections is being denounced as much as round one, though there seems to have been less violence, perhaps because of the refusal of the Muslim Brotherhood and the Wafd, the two biggest opposition forces, to participate in the runoffs.

Al-Ahram is trying to play up the relatively few wins the opposition has achieved (Arabic), in order to defuse criticism, and there are reports that between one and three Muslim Brothers may have won in the runoffs despite the boycott, though whether they will take their seats is in question. The Brotherhood is charging that some candidates were under government pressure not to drop out.

We won't know the final numbers for a day or two, but it certainly seems likely that the opposition will have less than 10% of the Parliament. A party has to wein 5% to run a casndidate for the Presidency next year, and right now it seems doubtful that any party other than the NDP will qualify.

Also, even before the second round, it was obvious that Coptic candidates have been virtually shut out of this Parliament. The President is likely to name a few prominent Copts among the ten candidates he appoints to Parliament, but they aren't being elected in their own right.

Just as many independent observers claimed round one had 10% turnout rather than the officially announced 35%, some are saying yesterday's turnout was even worse, around 5%.

More as we learn more.