Egypt votes today in the first round of parliamentary elections late, the first since the dissolution of the previous Parliament, with a court decision in 2012.
Authorities said that the elections are the final step in the transition to democracy. However, critics say that most of the candidates are supporters of President Abdul Fattah al-Sisi and the new parliament is likely to strengthen even more power.
Elections will be held in two rounds of voting and results are not expected to be published before December. Voters will elect 596 MPs of the House of Representatives. News Agency "Mena" reports that tougher security measures will be implemented throughout the country, with at least 185 military troops will support the police.
On Saturday, President al-Sisi asked an Egyptian vote through a televised speech.
"Line-before polling stations and through votes, sow hope for a bright future for our new Egypt," said the head of the country.
President al-Sisi is a former general who led the coup of 2013 against former President Mohamed Morsi, after the riots that had swept the country.
Morsi's party, "the Muslim Brotherhood" won nearly half the seats in the last Parliament, but now it has been declared illegal and its leaders are in jail. Some of them have been sentenced to death.
However, it seems to have had the same fate many members of Hosni Mubarak's autocratic regime, some of whom are on the list of candidates in the current elections. Analysts predict that turnout will be low because of frustration that prevails among many an Egyptian linked to the democratic process. Many are angry with the government and its policies.