Preliminary results of Sunday's parliamentary elections indicate that the ruling National Democratic Party (NDP) won the majority of seats. The liberal Wafd Party followed with three seats. The leftist Tagammu Party, the leftist Social Justice, and the liberal Ghad parties each won one seat. Although the Muslim Brotherhood group candidates failed to garner a single seat, twelve qualified for runoffs. “The regime has fabricated a tailor made parliament for itself,” said prominent Brotherhood candidate Saad al-Katani following his loss in Minya. “But we won't stay quiet.” The Wafd Party will compete with four candidates in runoffs and the Tagammu Party will compete with six candidates. Tagammu Party President Refaat al-Saeed declared as “worse ever” the integrity of Sunday's elections and noted that NDP candidates paid voters in violation of Egyptian law. With only three Wafd Party candidates winning seats, the party's President al-Sayed al-Badawi is currently weighing in consultation with other Wafd Party leaders whether to boycott upcoming presidential elections. NDP Secretary General Safwat al-Sherif expected competitive runoffs. “Let's not jump to conclusions until the runoffs are over,” he said. Clashes that occurred during the elections resulted in nine dead and 20 wounded. Translated from the Arabic Edition.
