Egyptians headed to the polls on Monday to elect members of the Senate—an advisory chamber of parliament tasked with reviewing key legislation and constitutional matters. The vote comes at a time of growing public frustration over an economy battered by inflation and daily hardships.
More than 63 million eligible voters are expected to cast their ballots at over 8,000 polling stations across the country, with voting set to conclude on Tuesday. The results, which will determine 200 of the Senate’s 300 members, are due to be announced on August 12. The remaining 100 members will be appointed by the president.
The election unfolds against a backdrop of economic uncertainty. Egyptians are grappling with rising costs of basic goods and services, a weakened currency, and widespread discontent over deteriorating living standards. Despite the grim economic outlook, some voters are participating to express solidarity with the government, particularly in its stance on regional issues such as the war in Gaza.
Among the candidates is Sherine Abdel Azim, a journalist and deputy editor-in-chief at the state-run Ahram newspaper. Running under the banner of the liberal Free Egyptians Party, Abdel Azim says her decision to contest the election stems from a desire to move beyond commentary and into policy-making. “I wasn’t fulfilled in just sharing my opinions on social media or through journalism. I wanted to have a voice inside the Senate,” she said.
Abdel Azim began her political journey after the 2011 Arab Spring, and now finds herself among more than 400 candidates vying for a seat. While campaigning in some of Cairo’s most densely populated districts Materya, Ain Shams, Gamelya, and Al-Azhar she says voters repeatedly raised concerns about healthcare, medical insurance, and the unregulated spread of tuk-tuks, or three-wheeled taxis.
Another pressing issue is the country’s amended rental law, which allows landlords to raise rents previously frozen under decades-old contracts. “These are rightful demands from average citizens who love their country, but want to feel supported in these matters,” Abdel Azim said.
This is only the second Senate election since the chamber’s creation in 2019, part of a series of constitutional reforms the government said would boost political participation. However, critics argue the amendments have only consolidated power, especially as they allow President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi to potentially remain in office until 2030 while expanding the military's influence in civilian affairs.
Egyptians living abroad cast their votes earlier, on Friday and Saturday, at consulates in 117 countries.
As ballots are tallied, the question remains: will this election deepen civic engagement, or merely reaffirm a political structure many view as firmly under government control?