Parliamentary candidate dies in Sharqiya

A parliamentary candidate died on Sunday in Sharqiya, Zagazig, a few hours before the runoff of the second phase of parliamentary elections starts.

Mohamed Badawy, 80, died of a heart attack.

Badawy and seven other candidates were competing for four seats in a Sharqiya constituency.

A decision will be issued within a few hours to see whether the run-off will be held among seven or eight candidates, a judge supervising parliament elections in Sharqiya said.

The second round of parliamentary elections covers the 13 governorates of Cairo, Qalioubiya, Daqahliya, Menoufiya, Gharbiya, Kafr el Sheikh, Sharqiya, Damietta, Port Said, Ismailia, Suez, North Sinai and South Sinai.

Runoffs will be held on December 1-2 for Egyptian at home, and on November 30 to December 1 for Egyptian expatriates.

Some 27.5 million voters are eligible to cast their vote in the second round compared to 25.5 million in the first stage.

Sources: MENA