Cairo, November 12, 2025 – Egypt has officially concluded the first phase of its highly anticipated 2025 parliamentary elections for the House of Representatives, the country's primary legislative body, on Tuesday evening. The two-day voting process, which spanned November 10 and 11, covered 14 of Egypt's 27 governorates and involved an estimated 35 million eligible voters across 5,606 polling stations in 70 electoral districts. This phase marks a critical step in renewing the 596-seat chamber, which plays a pivotal role in drafting legislation, approving budgets, and overseeing government accountability during President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi's final six-year term, set to end in 2030.
The elections come roughly three months after the August 2025 Senate polls, where pro-government alliances dominated with a turnout of just 17.1% among 69.3 million registered voters. With Egypt's population exceeding 108 million and approximately 69 million registered voters nationwide, these House elections are seen as a barometer of public engagement in a nation grappling with economic pressures, including inflation rates hovering around 25% and the lingering impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and regional conflicts like the war in Gaza. Analysts note that while the process has proceeded smoothly under judicial supervision, concerns persist over limited political pluralism and the dominance of regime-aligned parties.
Voting Process and Turnout: A 'High' Participation Highlighted by Officials
Polling stations opened at 9 a.m. local time (0700 GMT) and closed at 9 p.m. (1900 GMT) each day, allowing ample opportunity for citizens to cast ballots via direct, secret voting. Egyptians abroad kicked off the process earlier, voting on November 7 and 8 at 139 polling stations across 124 countries, facilitated by a 24-hour operations room at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in coordination with embassies and consulates. High turnout was reported in expatriate communities, particularly in Gulf nations like Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE, where large Egyptian diasporas reside.
On the domestic front, Ahmed Bendary, executive director of the National Elections Authority (NEA), described Tuesday's voting as witnessing "a high turnout," though exact figures were not immediately released, citing Egypt's state news agency MENA. Preliminary reports from the NEA's central operations room indicated queues forming early in urban centers like Giza and Alexandria, as well as rural areas in Upper Egypt provinces such as Aswan and Sohag. Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly, who cast his vote in Giza's Sheikh Zayed City, praised the "smooth and orderly" conduct of the polls, crediting state institutions, the NEA, and diplomatic missions for their coordination efforts. He urged citizens to view participation as both a "national duty and constitutional right," emphasizing its role in Egypt's developmental trajectory.
The NEA, an independent body established under Article 208 of the 2014 Constitution, oversees the entire process, from voter database updates to result announcements. Full judicial oversight was in place, with judges from reserve lists deployed to high-turnout stations to expedite voting. International media, including Reuters and Al Jazeera, covered the event extensively, noting the absence of major irregularities on the first day. Social media posts from observers highlighted orderly lines and family participation, with one X user noting "vibrant queues in Dokki and Agouza" on the second day.
Candidates and Electoral Stakes: A Field Dominated by Pro-Government Forces
A total of 1,281 candidates vied for individual seats in this phase, competing in a mixed system that allocates 284 seats via individual constituencies and another 284 through closed party lists, with the president appointing up to 28 additional members. Overall, 2,826 candidates registered nationwide, including those on lists like the National List for Egypt (NLE), a pro-Sisi coalition led by the Future of the Nation Party (Mostaqbal Watan). The NLE, which secured over 175 seats in the recent Senate elections, ran unopposed in key list constituencies such as the Western Delta (42 seats) and Upper Egypt (100 seats), underscoring its dominance.
Other lists included the Generation List, Popular List of Your Voice for Egypt, and Egypt Call List, but opposition voices were notably subdued. The NEA disqualified several candidates, including members of the Socialist Popular Alliance and Al-Nour parties, over military service exemptions, a move criticized by human rights groups as arbitrary. Independent monitors and opposition figures have raised alarms about pre-election detentions and campaign restrictions, with Freedom House rating Egypt's electoral environment as severely constrained. Despite this, the constitution mandates at least 25% female representation, a quota aimed at gender balance.
The first phase encompassed diverse regions: coastal Alexandria and Beheira; desert Matrouh and New Valley; and Nile Valley strongholds like Minya, Assiut, and Luxor. These areas represent nearly half of Egypt's provinces, focusing on local issues like agricultural reforms in Fayoum and tourism recovery in Aswan.
Timeline Ahead: Runoffs, Second Phase, and Final Results
Results for the first phase are slated for announcement on November 18, triggering a 48-hour window for appeals to the Supreme Administrative Court. If no candidate secures over 50% in individual races, runoffs will occur abroad on December 1-2 and domestically on December 3-4, with outcomes finalized by December 11.
The second phase, covering the remaining 13 provinces—including Cairo, Dakahlia, and Sharqia—will see 1,316 candidates compete for the balance of seats. Overseas voting is set for November 21-22, followed by domestic polls on November 24-25, with results due December 2 and potential runoffs concluding by December 25. The new House will convene in January 2026 for a five-year term, alongside the Senate, to form a bicameral parliament.
Broader Context: Elections in a Time of Economic Strain and Political Consolidation
These polls occur against a backdrop of Egypt's ambitious yet challenging reforms. Since 2016, the government has pursued IMF-backed austerity measures, including currency flotation, to stabilize an economy battered by the Russia-Ukraine war's disruptions to Suez Canal revenues and tourism. Inflation eased slightly to 23% in October 2025, but unemployment lingers at 7.3%, fueling public demands for better healthcare, housing, and job creation—issues echoed in campaign rhetoric.
Politically, the elections reinforce el-Sisi's consolidation of power, extended by 2019 constitutional amendments that lengthened presidential terms to six years and allowed two additional mandates. The 2025 House will be instrumental in post-2030 transitions, potentially amending laws on term limits or security policies. Critics, including the Tahrir Institute for Middle East Policy, argue the closed-list system and security interference stifle pluralism, rendering the vote more symbolic than transformative. Human rights advocates call for releasing political detainees and easing assembly restrictions to foster genuine competition.
Yet, supporters highlight the process's transparency, with media coverage guidelines ensuring balanced reporting and the NEA's tech-enabled voter verification. As one X post from an observer noted, "Egypt's democracy in action—queues tell the story of hope amid challenges."
In summary, the first phase's conclusion signals orderly progress in Egypt's electoral calendar, but its true measure lies in turnout data, runoff dynamics, and the new parliament's ability to address citizens' pressing needs. With the second phase looming, all eyes remain on how this vote shapes the nation's legislative future.
