Egypt elections: Islamist parties top polls
Cairo first free elections in 60 years see 62% voter turnout; Muslim Brotherhood, Salafi parties in the lead, liberal parties at 15%
Turnout in the first leg of Egypt's first free election in six decades was an unprecedented 62% the head of the election committee said on Friday, far higher than in the rigged polls under deposed President Hosni Mubarak.
The ruling Supreme Council of the Armed Forces said that the results from this week's election are expected later on Saturday.
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The Muslim Brotherhood's party and its ultra-conservative Salafi rivals both claim to have the lead in the polls so far – which has the West somewhat concerned.
According to Egyptian media, the Muslim Brotherhood has so far won 40% of the first round of votes to the Egyptian Parliament. The radical Salafi al-Nour party has won 20% of the vote, the liberal bloc has 15% of the vote and the three, smaller left-wing parties split 12% of the votes between them.
The elections for the Egyptian Parliament have three rounds.
Egypt's election commission announced only a trickle of results from the first round of parliamentary elections. However, leaked counts point to a clear majority for Islamist parties at the expense of liberal activist groups that led the uprising against Hosni Mubarak, toppling a regime long seen as a secular bulwark in the Middle East.
Ever pragmatic, the Muslim Brotherhood may avoid allying with Salafis in parliament and seek more moderate coalition partners to reassure Egyptians and foreigners of its intentions.
The Muslim Brotherhood says its priorities are ending corruption, reviving the economy and establishing a true democracy in Egypt.
Reuters contributed to this report
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