Polls open for voting in tightly controlled Egyptian local elections

By JERUSALEM POST STAFF
Polls have opened for Egypt's local council elections with light turnout in contests dominated by the ruling party after candidates from the largest opposition group were prevented from running. The state-run daily al-Gomhuriya has already announced victories for the ruling National Democratic Party for 70 percent of the 52,000 seats because they were uncontested. Turnout during the morning was very light and in one polling place in the working class neighborhood of Bab al-Sharia, former stronghold of jailed opposition politician Ayman Nour, only a few votes had been cast three hours into the contest.