CAIRO: Unofficial results of the re-runs of parliamentary elections in five constituencies around Egypt have been announced, while parties and candidates prepare for more re-runs scheduled for this week. Elections were repeated in these constituencies following court rulings that annulled the results. In South Sinai, the Freedom and Justice Party's list won two seats, while the Reform and Development Party won one seat and Al-Wafd won one seat. For the single winner seats, the run-offs will include both seats, where a Salafi Al-Nour Party candidate will face off with an independent over the professionals seat and two independents will compete for the workers' seat. In Daqahliya, there will be run-offs for the workers seat between the Freedom and Justice Party's (FJP) Tarek Qotb and independent Wahid Fouda. In addition, there will be re-runs for the party list on Wednesday. Secretary General of Al-Wafd, Fouad Badrawy, who had snatched a seat before the results of the party lists vote were annulled, had filed an appeal to cancel the re-runs but it was rejected. “I hoped the turn of events would have been different but we believe in the court rulings and even more in the people of Daqahlia who will go out again and give us their vote,” said Badrawy. The results were canceled because of an administrative problem; the name of the Egyptian Bloc's candidate, Mohamed Rizk Abdel Sallam, was repeated in both the party lists ballot and the individual candidates ballot. In the first constituency of Qaliubiya, the FJP will be competing for both individual seats; against Al-Asala Party's candidate for the professionals seat and against an independent for the workers seat. In the third constituency of Qena, FJP candidate Ali Ibrahim will face off with General Khalid Abu Bakr in the run-offs over the professionals seat. Two independent candidates are vying for workers seat. Run-offs in Assiut's second and third constituencies take place Tuesday to fill three seats. The FJP is fielding candidates for all three. “We've been working hard and will continue to work hard for the people,” said Mohamed El-Beltagi, leading member of the FJP and newly-elected MP. “These are free and fair elections in which the people's votes count.” In Shoubra constituency's re-run today, FJP member Fahmy Abdou Mostafa will be competing for the professionals seat while Kamal Hassan Mahdy will be running for the workers seat. Head of the Supreme Electoral Commission Judge Abdel Moez Ibrahim, said in a press conference on Friday that the People's Assembly will hold its first session on January 23 even if there are still re-runs of elections in some constituencies.
