The Egyptian government swept four seats in Parliamentary elections that had been postponed since 2005. Voter turnout was low after police detained a number of opposition supporters, according to a report from Egypt’s second largest city, Alexandria.. Police, clad in their traditional black riot gear, lined the streets of Alexandria Sunday. The coastal city’s promenade was notably busy with truck loads of soldiers being brought in to “maintain calm”, the Interior Ministry said. Egypt’s leading opposition party, the Muslim Brotherhood, had three candidates in the election, which they accused the government of rigging. The government has denied the charges. At least two-dozen Brotherhood members were arrested Sunday, the group reported. Security officials said only 17 people were arrested. Dozens others were rounded up ahead of the vote, in an effort to weaken the Islamic party’s influence.
The four seats had been left vacant since 2005 when a legal challenge halted the vote. The Brotherhood won 88 seats in a shock victory that has led to a massive government crackdown on the group in order to stem its growth and popularity.
