(AhlulBayt News Agency) - "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, the Independent Coalition for Elections' Observation said in a statement.
"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 monitoring 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 held on 28 November and 5 December 2010."
Sunday's runoff saw candidates from the ruling National Democratic Party (NDP) running mostly against members of the same party after Egypt's two main opposition blocs, the Muslim Brotherhood and the liberal Wafd party, pull out of the race citing violence, intimidation and fraud in the first round.
The first round was also heavily criticized by Egypt's ally the United States and by human rights groups, especially for the harassment and intimidation of the Islamist group, Egypt's only serious opposition, which fields its candidates as independents to get round a ban on religious parties.
Final election results are not expected until Wednesday, but some pro-government media are already saying the NDP is guaranteed a 97 percent majority in the next parliament.
Egyptians gather in the Bulak al-Dakrur district of Cairo filled with campaign posters.
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