Egyptian expatriates started to cast their votes Monday in the run-offs of the second phase of the parliamentary elections. The run-offs are taking place on Monday and Tuesday in 139 consulates and embassies worldwide. Polls are set to remain open from 9am to 9pm according to each country's local time. The Egyptian embassy in New Zealand was one of the first embassies to open its doors Monday for the Egyptians to cast their ballots in the run-offs. There are approximately 8 million Egyptians abroad with the largest population of expatriates focused in Gulf countries. During the first round of the elections, Saudi Arabia had the highest voting turnout of Egyptians abroad, with a 30.4% participation rate, and Kuwait came second with 18.3%, followed by the UAE with 12.7%. According to the Supreme Electoral Commission (SEC), 37,168 expats voted in the first round of the second phase of elections that took place on 21 and 22 November. A total of 426 candidates are contesting the remaining 213 seats in the run-offs as nine candidates only have secured their seats by winning the majority of votes from the first round. The run-offs will be limited to the individual seats, as "For the Love of Egypt" won all the lists' contested seats in the first round. The Administrative Judiciary Court rejected a total of 56 appeals against the results of the second phase of the parliamentary elections in the governorate of Cairo. The second stage of the elections takes place in 13 governorates, including Cairo, Suez, Kafr Al-Sheikh, Port Said, Ismailia, Daqahleya, Menufiya, Qaliubiya, Damietta, and North and South Sinai. The run-offs of the elections are being held domestically on Tuesday and Wednesday.
