The Egyptian embassy in India finished counting ballots on Tuesday for the runoff to the first phase of the parliamentary elections, the first of which Egyptians abroad have been able to vote in. Egypt's ambassador to India Khaled el-Bakly said ballot counting commenced, despite it being an official holiday in India to celebrate Ashura. He also said a number of India's Egyptian community and a group of diplomats participated in the screening committee. He said turnout for the runoff elections were weak compared to numbers participating in the first round of elections, which took place last week. He added that postal votes accounted for 35 percent of votes, as opposed to 47 percent in the first round. Bakly said the voting process took place in a cordial atmosphere and was an opportunity to meet and exchange views on the country's future with members of India's Egyptian community. He added that he assigned a team of embassy employees to contact nationals and provide them with all the information and facilities required for them to participate effectively in the first post-January 25 Revolution parliamentary elections.
