Egypt Secularists Face Hard Choices

CAIRO—Egypt's secular-minded politicians, facing a greater-than-anticipated drubbing by Islamist parties in the first round of Egypt's parliamentary elections, began Friday to assess their dwindling prospects for the poll's final two rounds. The participation rate in the first round of Egypt's first major democratic test was 62%—the "highest in history," Abdel-Moez Ibrahim, the head of Egypt's High Elections Commission, told reporters Friday night. The Muslim Brotherhood's Freedom and Justice Party, or FJP, is likely to win 40% of the parliamentary seats in this round, followed by 20% for the Nour Party list, which represents hard-line Salafi Muslims, Egyptian media reported, citing leaks from vote counters. Those numbers eclipse the combined 50% or less of the vote that the Islamist groups were expected to capture this round. The Egyptian Bloc, the largest list of liberal parties, is expected to win about 15% of seats. Official reporting on the results appeared mired in chaos Friday, underscoring the persistent logistical difficulties that face this emerging democracy. UGG Boots Outlet Egyptians, voting in three phases staggered in regions across the country, will choose one-third of their 498 parliamentarians in races between individual candidates. For the rest, they will vote for parties, with the most popular sweeping in the most members. Last week, Mr. Ibrahim, the elections chief, told reporters that the results of the party voting would be released only after all voting closed, in January. He appeared to change his mind earlier this week, saying that "in the interest of transparency," the party list would be announced following each poll. Addressing reporters Friday, Mr. Ibrahim read the outcomes individual races, all but four of which he said are heading for runoffs Monday. But instead of reading the anticipated party-slate results, he said he had "run out of gas." He abruptly left the dais, saying results would be distributed on paper. The results for the party list system can't be revealed until the end of voting next year, Ismail Khairat, the chairman of the State Information Service.