How did the Muslim Brotherhood participate in Egyptian elections while it was formally banned?

While the Muslim Brotherhood remained formally banned in Egypt for many years, it participated in parliamentary elections by fielding its members as independent candidates.12

By running as independents, Brotherhood supporters were able to circumvent the official ban on the organization. This strategy proved effective in the 2000 elections, where they won 17 seats, and in the 2005 elections, where they captured 88 seats, becoming the largest opposition bloc in the parliament despite efforts by the administration of Hosni Mubarak to restrict their success.12

Following the 2011 revolution, the political landscape shifted significantly. After the dissolution of the National Democratic Party, the organization founded the Freedom and Justice Party, which allowed it to participate openly and legally in the political process until the military intervention in 2013.32