Egypt Begins Ballot Counting After Two-Day Senate Elections with 68 Million Eligible Voters

Egypt held its two-day Senate elections on August 4-5, 2025, with voting conducted across over 8,200 polling stations nationwide under strict judicial supervision and security measures. Approximately 68-69 million Egyptians were eligible to vote, with a notable presence of female judges overseeing the process, marking progress in gender representation in electoral oversight. The elections featured 424 candidates competing for 100 individual seats, while a pro-government coalition, the National List for Egypt, ran uncontested for the 100 party-list seats, requiring only 5% of the vote to win. President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi and Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly participated early in the vote, urging citizens to fulfill their constitutional duty amid a challenging economic backdrop and regional tensions related to Gaza. Early reports indicated high voter turnout, especially among women, the elderly, and youth, with long queues and an enthusiastic atmosphere nationwide. Election results are expected by August 12, with runoff rounds scheduled for late August if needed, followed by presidential appointments to complete the 300-seat Senate.