Egyptians have begun voting in the second round of parliamentary elections, following a first round that was dominated by Islamist parties.

Polls opened in nine areas Wednesday, including Aswan, Beni Suef, Giza, Ismailia, Suez and Sohag.

Voting will continue Thursday for the seats in the 498-member lower house of parliament. A third round of elections covering the remaining nine provinces will take place in early January.

The parliamentary elections are Egypt's first since a popular uprising ousted former President Hosni Mubarak.

Elections for parliament's less powerful upper house will begin in late January and finish in March, after which the assembly will write a new constitution.