Egyptians casting their vote this week in a nationwide election of a second chamber of parliament will be required to wear masks and observe social distancing at the polls, precautions against the spread of the Covid-19 disease that may be making a comeback soon after it appeared to be finally waning.
The election of the 300-seat and largely consultative upper chamber began on Sunday and continued on Monday for Egyptian expatriates, allowed to vote online or by mail in light of the coronavirus pandemic.
Balloting moves to Egypt on Tuesday and again will be staggered over two days. Results will be announced on August 19 and second round balloting is due on September 8-9.
Authorities have since Monday began disinfecting thousands of polling stations across the country of 100 million people to limit the spread of Covid-19. Disinfection gates will also be installed outside polling centres and social distancing will be observed.
The creation of an upper chamber was part of constitutional amendments approved in a nationwide referendum last year. Of its 300 members, 100 will be presidential appointees, while the remainder will be elected by direct balloting through the system of closed party lists or individual candidates. Government supporters are almost certain to be the new chamber’s overwhelming majority.
There have been no campaign rallies for the election because of the pandemic, with hopeful candidates using street billboards and online advertisements to promote their candidacy.
Turnout is likely to be modest given the consultative mandate of the upper chamber, continuing concerns about the pandemic and the generally poor shape of the economy.
The new chamber’s main task would be to vet draft legislation on issues to do with national sovereignty, the constitution or on foreign treaties. These would be referred to the chamber by either the president or the House of Deputies. This task was part of the mandate of the State Council, a senior judicial body that had vetted legislation before their adoption by the legislature. That role was stripped from the council under the 2019 constitutional amendments.
The new chamber, which replaces one annulled some seven years ago, will serve a five-year term.
Significantly, this week’s election coincides with growing signs that the coronavirus pandemic may be making a comeback after weeks of decline that gave Egyptians and their government hope that it might be over after nearly 100,000 confirmed cases and more than 5,000 deaths, according to official figures.
After registering a dramatic decline since late July and into the first week of August, the number of confirmed Covid-19 cases has been on the rise in recent days although the numbers remain low compared to June, by far the worst month since the pandemic began in mid-February, and early July.
The rise in confirmed cases started its ascent on Wednesday - 123 cases - and continued until Monday, the last day for which official figures are available, when 178 cases have been recorded.
As a precaution against a possible “second wave” of Covid-19 infections, at least one quarantine hospital has been reopened to deal with new cases. The government is meanwhile renewing warnings that it would reintroduce the measures it had in place before reopening the country on June 27 if the numbers continue to rise.
At the heart of the epidemic in Egypt is the casual approach taken by most Egyptians toward the threat of the disease, like not abiding by social distancing or wearing masks in crowded public spaces. The government has repeatedly told Egyptians that, in the absence of a vaccine, they will have to learn to live with Covid-19 while taking preventive precautions.
Shubh Mangal Saavdhan
Directed by: RS Prasanna
Starring: Ayushmann Khurrana, Bhumi Pednekar
Six pitfalls to avoid when trading company stocks
Following fashion
Investing is cyclical, buying last year's winners often means holding this year's losers.
Losing your balance
You end up with too much exposure to an individual company or sector that has taken your fancy.
Being over active
If you chop and change your portfolio too often, dealing charges will eat up your gains.
Running your losers
Investors hate admitting mistakes and hold onto bad stocks hoping they will come good.
Selling in a panic
If you sell up when the market drops, you have locked yourself out of the recovery.
Timing the market
Even the best investor in the world cannot consistently call market movements.
Israel Palestine on Swedish TV 1958-1989
Director: Goran Hugo Olsson
Rating: 5/5
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Lamsa
Founder: Badr Ward
Launched: 2014
Employees: 60
Based: Abu Dhabi
Sector: EdTech
Funding to date: $15 million
Name: Brendalle Belaza
From: Crossing Rubber, Philippines
Arrived in the UAE: 2007
Favourite place in Abu Dhabi: NYUAD campus
Favourite photography style: Street photography
Favourite book: Harry Potter
The Pope's itinerary
Sunday, February 3, 2019 - Rome to Abu Dhabi
1pm: departure by plane from Rome / Fiumicino to Abu Dhabi
10pm: arrival at Abu Dhabi Presidential Airport
Monday, February 4
12pm: welcome ceremony at the main entrance of the Presidential Palace
12.20pm: visit Abu Dhabi Crown Prince at Presidential Palace
5pm: private meeting with Muslim Council of Elders at Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
6.10pm: Inter-religious in the Founder's Memorial
Tuesday, February 5 - Abu Dhabi to Rome
9.15am: private visit to undisclosed cathedral
10.30am: public mass at Zayed Sports City – with a homily by Pope Francis
12.40pm: farewell at Abu Dhabi Presidential Airport
1pm: departure by plane to Rome
5pm: arrival at the Rome / Ciampino International Airport
Who has lived at The Bishops Avenue?
- George Sainsbury of the supermarket dynasty, sugar magnate William Park Lyle and actress Dame Gracie Fields were residents in the 1930s when the street was only known as ‘Millionaires’ Row’.
- Then came the international super rich, including the last king of Greece, Constantine II, the Sultan of Brunei and Indian steel magnate Lakshmi Mittal who was at one point ranked the third richest person in the world.
- Turkish tycoon Halis Torprak sold his mansion for £50m in 2008 after spending just two days there. The House of Saud sold 10 properties on the road in 2013 for almost £80m.
- Other residents have included Iraqi businessman Nemir Kirdar, singer Ariana Grande, holiday camp impresario Sir Billy Butlin, businessman Asil Nadir, Paul McCartney’s former wife Heather Mills.
Hunting park to luxury living
- Land was originally the Bishop of London's hunting park, hence the name
- The road was laid out in the mid 19th Century, meandering through woodland and farmland
- Its earliest houses at the turn of the 20th Century were substantial detached properties with extensive grounds
Countries recognising Palestine
France, UK, Canada, Australia, Portugal, Belgium, Malta, Luxembourg, San Marino and Andorra
Jebel Ali results
2pm: Handicap (PA) Dh 50,000 (Dirt) 1,400m
Winner: AF Al Moreeb, Antonio Fresu (jockey), Ernst Oertel (trainer)
2.30pm: Maiden (TB) Dh 60,000 (D) 1,400m
Winner: Shamikh, Ryan Curatolo, Nicholas Bachalard
3pm: Handicap (TB) Dh 64,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner: One Vision, Connor Beasley, Ali Rashid Al Raihe
3.30pm: Conditions (TB) Dh 100,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner: Gabr, Sam Hitchcott, Doug Watson
4pm: Handicap (TB) Dh 96,000 (D) 1,800m
Winner: Just A Penny, Sam Hitchcock, Doug Watson
4.30pm: Maiden (TB) Dh 60,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner: Torno Subito, Sam Hitchcock, Doug Watson
5pm: Handicap (TB) Dh 76,000 (D) 1,950m
Winner: Untold Secret, Jose Santiago, Salem bin Ghadayer
COMPANY%20PROFILE%20
%3Cp%3EName%3A%20DarDoc%3Cbr%3EBased%3A%20Abu%20Dhabi%3Cbr%3EFounders%3A%20Samer%20Masri%2C%20Keswin%20Suresh%3Cbr%3ESector%3A%20HealthTech%3Cbr%3ETotal%20funding%3A%20%24800%2C000%3Cbr%3EInvestors%3A%20Flat6Labs%2C%20angel%20investors%20%2B%20Incubated%20by%20Hub71%2C%20Abu%20Dhabi's%20Department%20of%20Health%3Cbr%3ENumber%20of%20employees%3A%2010%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
THE SPECS
Engine: Four-cylinder 2.5-litre
Transmission: Seven-speed auto
Power: 165hp
Torque: 241Nm
Price: Dh99,900 to Dh134,000
On sale: now
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre turbo 4-cyl
Transmission: eight-speed auto
Power: 190bhp
Torque: 300Nm
Price: Dh169,900
On sale: now
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Profile
Co-founders of the company: Vilhelm Hedberg and Ravi Bhusari
Launch year: In 2016 ekar launched and signed an agreement with Etihad Airways in Abu Dhabi. In January 2017 ekar launched in Dubai in a partnership with the RTA.
Number of employees: Over 50
Financing stage: Series B currently being finalised
Investors: Series A - Audacia Capital
Sector of operation: Transport
