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Africa News of Tuesday, 11 August 2020

Source: bbc.com

Egyptians head to the polls to elect revived senate

The senate, previously called the Shura Council, plays an advisory role The senate, previously called the Shura Council, plays an advisory role

Egyptians have started voting for the senate that was revived after last year's constitutional referendum.

Tuesday's poll will see 200 members elected by public vote to the upper chamber of parliament, which has an advisory role and few formal powers. The remaining 100 senators are appointed by the president.

The country's lower chamber, the house of representatives, has a legislative role.

The election comes at the height of the coronavirus pandemic - Egypt has the second-highest number of cases on the continent after South Africa.

Authorities have said voters will be given face masks and polling stations are to be disinfected to prevent the spread of the virus.