Fraud charges ahead of Mubarak's clean sweep

Election monitors charged on Monday that Egypt's polls were marked by widespread fraud, as President Hosni Mubarak's party prepared to take almost 100-per cent control of parliament.

The country's election commission announced that the results of Sunday's second round of voting would be announced later in the day. Egypt's main opposition groups, the Muslim Brotherhood and liberal Wafd party, withdrew from the runoffs after the ruling National Democratic Party (NDP) emerged with 209 out of 211 seats in a November 28 first round of voting.

The Independent Coalition for Elections' Observation said widespread violations, including violence and fraud, had marred both rounds, raising serious questions over the legitimacy of the new parliament.

"Both rounds of elections witnessed violence in the presence of security which directly resulted in the death of a number of citizens, the exclusion of candidates and their representatives, and attacks" on independent monitors.

"Polling stations and ballot counting premises have become breeding grounds for forging ballot cards and manipulation of the will of voters... This was especially apparent during the second round," the Egyptian group added.

"Serious challenges now strongly surround the legitimacy of the People's Assembly if it is formed according to the announced results of the parliamentary elections."

The runoff saw NDP candidates run mostly against members of the same party. The first round was also heavily criticised by Egypt's ally the United States and human rights groups, especially over the harassment and intimidation of the Brotherhood.

According to some pro-government media, the NDP is guaranteed a 97-per cent majority in the new parliament, including nominal independents aligned with the NDP, with a handful of other seats going to small opposition groupings.

Opposition papers said Egypt was turning into a one-party state with a servile parliament which is tasked next year with electing a president at a time when long-time incumbent Mubarak, 82, has yet to clarify if he will stand.