UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has praised the "generally calm and orderly" Egyptian election and hailed the country's role in the Arab Spring uprisings.
Spokesman Martin Nesirky said Ban "congratulates the people of Egypt."
Nesirky added that Ban believes "it is crucial, as part of the democratic transition, for the entire electoral process to continue to be held in a credible and peaceful manner."
Ban's comments came as Egyptians queued at polling stations on November 29 for a second day of voting in the first election since longtime ruler Hosni Mubarak was ousted during mass protests in February.
In the first round of voting, which began on November 28, ballots were cast in nine of the country's 27 provinces to elect a lower house.
Two more rounds are scheduled to take place by the end of January, after which voters will be called to elect an upper house.
compiled from agency reports