CAIRO (AP) - Egyptian election authorities began counting ballots Wednesday after polls closed in a vote for two-thirds of the seats in the newly restored but powerless Senate, the upper chamber of Parliament.
The Senate was restored as part of constitutional amendments approved in a referendum last year. Voters paid little attention since the 300-seat body - unlike the House of Representatives, the lower chamber - has no legislative powers and will have mainly an advisory role. It replaces the Shura Council, which was eliminated from the country’s 2014 constitution.
The head the election commission vowed to enforce a law penalizing boycotters with a fine of around $32, according to the state-run MENA news agency. Similar warnings have been issued in previous elections, with no real enforcement. They were meant to boost turnout.
Some 63 million voters are eligible to cast ballots, according to the National Election Authority. Only 200 of the 300 Senate seats are up for grabs, with 787 candidates running. Egyptian expatriates voted Sunday and Monday.
Security was tight, with police at polling stations and patrolling Cairo streets. The military said it deployed troops to assist.
Supporters of some candidates could be seen clapping and dancing in front of some polling stations in the capital Cairo, as patriotic music played from loudspeakers.
The first 100 seats in the Senate are reserved for individual candidates, the next 100 for those running on a list dominated by pro-government parties and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi will choose the remaining 100 members.
Lasheen Ibrahim, chairman of the National Election Authority, said ballot counting started immediately after polls closed Wednesday at 9 p.m.
He said the election commission will announce the official results on Aug. 19. Runoffs will take place in September.
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