Al-Ahram Weekly | Elections 2000

Polling began yesterday in a landmark general election, which for the first time in parliamentary history, is fully supervised by the judiciary. Below, Al-Ahram Weekly's reporters provide on-site highlights of the poll's first day

Alexandria (Sidi Gaber and Al-Raml):
Poll tough on Islamists
Alexandria -- (other constituencies):
Little chance for women
Menounfiya:
Services and jobs take the vote
Port Said:
Seaside passion
Fayoum:
A foregone conclusion

Will the parliamentary elections, the first stage of which began yesterday, open the way for greater participation by traditionally marginalised sections of the society? Al-Ahram Weekly, below, looks at prospects in the cases of Women and Copts

A voice of their own
The elections may herald a new era of political participation, but what about the role of women? Amina Elbendary looks at whether the times really are changing and, below, speaks to National Council for Women Secretary General Mervat Tellawi,

Ladies of the house
The National Council for Women is backing women candidates from across the political spectrum. A paradox? Not according to its Secretary-General Mervat Tellawi

On the Coptic campaign trail
Coptic candidates are campaigning both as independents and under the banner of a wide range of political parties. As Omayma Abdel-Latif shows, they are appealing to the broadest possible constituency

Elections 2000:
National Democratic Party
Tagammu Party
Wafd Party
Muslim Brotherhood
Labour Party
Islamist groups
The Nasserist Party