
SIGNS OF CHANGE: The banners that flooded the streets this week reflected the new face of Egyptian electioneering -- more candidates, more voters, and more interest in the political process as a whole
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Parliamentary scramble
As the polls opened yesterday for the first round of the three-stage parliamentary elections, repeated promises that Egypt has embarked on a radical process of democratisation and reform were being tested in real time
Begging to differ Transparent ballot boxes, monitors, a flamboyant Muslim Brotherhood campaign: the parliamentary elections certainly feel different this time round. But are they really, asks Amira Howeidy
Unexpected results? There may be more run-offs than clear finishes once yesterday's votes are tallied. Gamal Essam El-Din surveys the scene
When less is more Local monitors said the first round of parliamentary polls was calm and with less fraud than usual. Gihan Shahine wonders what this means
No Intifada this time Judges seem to be banking on a government promise that low-key supervision of parliamentary polls will result in the long awaited approval of their draft law. Mona El-Nahhas interprets their new stance
The MB conundrum Amira Howeidy examines the shifting relationship between the state and Muslim Brotherhood
A political apathy Is politics about to win the day? Omayma Abdel-Latif looks for an answer
Money talks as candidates walk The lead up to this year's polls featured a mix of both newer and more traditional methods of campaigning. Mustafa El-Menshawy reports
Autumn of polls Egypt's recent experience of elections shows that the opposition has much work, and much thinking, still to do, writes Amr Hamzawy
The business of taking over politics Magnates versus tycoons, and businessmen versus politicians: Gamal Essam El-Din looks at the key money-based races in the forthcoming parliamentary elections
A willing contestant What are the chances of a Coptic woman winning against the ruling party and 10 men in the working class district of Shubra? Mona Makram Ebeid tells Fatemah Farag that whatever the odds, it is worth the try
Very little for small fish The nation's smallest parties will probably sink even deeper into oblivion after the parliamentary polls are over, reports Mustafa El-Menshawy
Taking their chance Mohamed Habib, deputy supreme guide of the Muslim Brotherhood, talks to Amira Howeidy about the group's parliamentary elections tactics
Cracks in the façade How much unity is there in the United National Front for Change, asks Fatemah Farag
The politics of selection Alieddin Hilal tells Omayma Abdel-Latif that it is not business as usual in the National Democratic Party
See for yourself The president says local monitors will be allowed to observe next month's parliamentary elections. But will this guarantee a fair poll, asks Gihan Shahine
Hemaya aims to assess MPs A new movement seeks to protect voters' rights in the upcoming parliamentary elections and beyond, reports Mohamed El-Sayed
In the run up to the 2005 parliamentary elections, Al-Ahram Weekly will be surveying the nation's political scene. This week Mona El-Nahhas explores the Ghad Party, interviews its parliamentary list and interviews its leader
Attacked from all sides Ghad Party leader Ayman Nour spoke about the turmoil surrounding his party, and how it might affect its performance in the coming polls
Testing times Has there really been a radical shift in the NDP's way of thinking? Omayma Abdel-Latif explores the transformation -- or lack thereof -- within Egypt's ruling party over the last five years
Party's old guard prevails The NDP's closely-guarded list of parliamentary candidates has finally been released. It's full of surprises, reports Gamal Essam El-Din
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