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| Demonstrators worry the military, which would continue as Egypt's top authority until a president is in place, wants to keep power. |
Cairo (CNN) -- For the
first time since the end of President Hosni Mubarak's 30-year rule, Egyptians
will be able to choose their representatives to the nation's parliament. Here's
a look at what's at stake, how the process will unfold and why some are
boycotting the elections.
Q. What are the
different stages of the parliamentary elections?
Monday marks the
beginning of many rounds of elections for both the upper and lower houses of
parliament.
Voting will be
carried out in waves -- in different months and in different governorates --
around the country up until March.
Elections for the
lower house are scheduled to take place in three stages, the last one of which
is set for January.
Q. How many parties
and candidates are participating?
Egyptians have dozens
of political parties and thousands of independent candidates to choose from.
Two-thirds of the
seats will be filled by parties, and the other third by open candidates.
The once-banned
Muslim Brotherhood, one of the nation's largest organizations, is expected to
perform well in the election, which is taking place against the backdrop of
demonstrations calling for an immediate end to military rule.
Q. Why are
demonstrators still angry?
Demonstrators say
they are concerned the military, which would continue to be Egypt's top
authority until a president is in place, wants to keep a grip on the country.
Many also have voiced
anger about a proposed constitutional principle that would shield the
military's budget from scrutiny by civilian powers.
Military leaders say
they will hand over power to a new government when one is elected. The Supreme
Council of the Armed Forces, Egypt's current ruling body, said presidential
elections will be held by June.
Q. How deadly have
recent clashes been?
At least 42 people
have been killed in the recent demonstrations, including at least 33 in Cairo.
An additional 3,250 have been wounded, according to Egypt's health ministry.
Q. What's at stake in
these elections?
Egypt is the most
populous country in the Arab world and a major player in regional politics. The
outcome of its revolution will have wider repercussions.
"It is easy to
imagine a spiraling of unrest and violence if elections are perceived as
illegitimate by a significant number of Egyptians," Shadi Hamid, an
analyst at the Qatar-based branch of the Brookings Institution, wrote recently.
Hamid added that the
elections "are so critical for both Egyptians and everyone else who wishes
to see Egypt move toward democracy and some modicum of stability."
Q. How do Egyptians
feel about the elections?
Some Egyptians are
boycotting the parliamentary elections while others say they are excited about
the opportunity.
"I fought for
these elections in Tahrir Square and even got shot, but I am boycotting them
completely," taxi driver Omar Ahmed said. "I don't trust the military
one bit ... It's a farce."
But some are hopeful
in the streets full of election banners -- a strong sign of democracy in a
country ruled for 30 years by Mubarak's iron fist.
"I believe the
election is a good thing," activist Ashraf Nagi said. "If we are
lucky, maybe we'll get rid of (Hussein) Tantawi," chairman of the military
council.
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