EGYPTIANS ELECTORAL SYSTEM

Egypt's new electoral system is complicated and has lead to confusion both inside and outside of Egypt.
Here the electoral system is explained so that Egyptian voters and others who are interested can see how the new rules shape the outcome of the elections.

• Electoral system

  Egypt's new electoral system is a so-called mixed electoral system, where voters elect two types of representatives: candidates that represent a constituency and candidates on a party list. Thus, mixed electoral systems combine proportional representation with directly elected seat constituencies. For the directly elected seats, Egypt is divided into 83 districts, each a ‚multi-member district‚ selecting two representatives (= 166 in total directly elected Members of Parliament). The other 332 seats are allocated proportionally among the party lists. Each voter can vote for three representatives: two votes for the candidates running for the two constituency seats and one vote for a party list. So, in the polling station, each voter receives two ballot papers and can cast three ballots.

  Egyptian's new electoral system

  IIn total 498 representatives are elected into the People’s Assembly (Majlis al-Sha'ab, or lower house) for a 5-year term. Out of these 498 members, 166 candidates will be directly elected in the 83 district and 332 members will be elected through party-lists. An additional 10 members are nominated to take seat in the People’s Assembly. Previously the president nominated these members, now the SCAF is in charge of this nomination. The system is not easy to understand and the consequences for the distribution of the total seats are not always immediately transparent. Although some Egyptians demanded a more transparent electoral system, this system is actually used in stable democracies across the globe, most famously in Germany.

• How and when will you vote?

  

  Egypt is divided into 27 governorates

  Egyptians will elect a parliament (People's Assembly), a senate (Shura Council) and a president. In total around 50 million Egyptians are allowed to vote if they are registered voters. Such a large number of people cannot all vote at the same time because In Egypt the rule is that a judge must to be present at each polling station. There are simply not enough judges to in Egypt to cover each polling station on one single day. Egypt is divided into 27 governorates Parliamentary representatives will be elected in three rounds each covering 9 governorates at a time. The Shura Council will also be elected in three rounds, each covering 9 governorates at a time. Finally, presidential elections are scheduled to take place in July 2012.

  who can vote? Egypt compared to other nations

• Three Votes

  

  In mixed systems, two types of representatives can be found: those elected via the party lists, and those directly elected in their constituency. Egyptians voting for parliament can cast three votes: two for individual candidates in their constituency and one for a political party list. The People Assembly will consist for 2/3rds of candidates that are elected through a political party list and for 1/3rd of candidates that are directly elected individually in a constituency. Each of the 83 constituencies returns 2 directly elected representatives into Parliament, so that directly elected individual candidates will occupy 166 seats in Parliament. These individual candidates are not necessarily linked to political parties, and can consider themselves, independent. 332 MPs will be elected via the lists of the more than 30 officially registered political parties in Egypt. You can see the positions of the major parties regarding important political issues on Vote Compass Egypt.

  Two types of constituencies Two rounds Who can be elected Good or bad Closed and open lists Egypt compared to other nations

• Bicameral system and how your vote counts

  

  After all the votes are counted and seats are allocated to the representatives of the people, parliament can begin its work. The most important function of a parliament is to propose and decide on laws of the land. It also needs to check the government and hold it accountable for its actions: that is why parliament is called the ‘legislature’ and the government the ‘executive’. Egyptian parliament has two chambers – a so-called bi-cameral parliament: the People’s Assemby and the Shura Council. The way these two houses relate to each other is still under discussion; more facts can be given after the new constitution is drafted. This is the only document that can predict how parliament will position itself in Egyptian society. The task to define the role of parliament after the transition is completed is a very difficult one. Defining these roles should lead to a balanced parliament, a stable government but also lead to an effective government of which not all initiatives are blocked by a parliament. representation peasants and workers from votes to seats votes for individuals electoral threshold minorities Egypt compared to other nations

• Parliament + President

  

  The presidential elections will take place in the summer of 2012. Until then the SCAF is in control of government. After the presidential elections a semi-presidential system will be installed. In this system the president shares its executive power with the prime-minister that has its basis in parliament. Under Mubarak the president had most power over the prime-minister. This situation will change after the transition is completed. This part deals with the role of the military and the president after the transition is completed. The way a semi-presidential system works out is discussed, even though the exact situation after the transition remains difficult to tell. First we will mainly look into the situation during the transition.

  who is in controle appointed seats in shura—current constitution drafting a new constitution Two chambers, Shura and peoples assemply formation of parties role of the military forming the future semi presidential Egypt compared to other nations