Those who abstain from voting in 2020 Parliament elections to be fined LE 500

CAIRO - 25 October 2020: On the first day of the Egyptians parliamentary elections' first phase, 1,879 candidates are competing in 71 electoral districts in the individual system under full judicial supervision, as Egyptian media and civil society organizations are monitoring the electoral process.

 

 

It is noteworthy that the Law on the Exercise of Political Rights promulgated by Law No. (45) of 2014 and amended by Law No. 140 of 2020 approved a fine that does not exceed LE 500 for those who did not participate in the voting.

 

 

For his part, Salah Fawzi, professor of constitutional law, stressed to Egypt Today that voting in the elections is a national right and duty, calling on all citizens to exercise their constitutional right by participating in the elections.

 

 

According to Article 66 of the Law on the Exercise of Political Rights, any person who casts his vote twice or impersonates another person shall be punished with imprisonment for a period of no less than a month and a fine of not less than LE 500 and not more than LE 1000, or one of the two penalties.

 

 

The first phase of the parliamentary elections kicked off across Egypt on Saturday, October 24, where polling stations opened doors at 9 a.m.  for voters to cast their ballot.

 

 

This phase of the voting process is scheduled to take place Saturday and Sunday. The results will be announced on November 15, according to the National Elections Authority (NEA).

 

 

Egyptians abroad cast their ballots online on October 21 to 23. Envelopes of the polling cards are sent to the Egyptian Embassy in each country via mail provided that the voters attach copies of their IDs or passports to the voting cards.

 

 

A total of 1,879 candidates are competing in 71 constituencies on the individual system, and four lists are assigned in the list system, 284 candidates are set to be chosen for the Parliament’s membership in the first stage of the elections in 14 districts of Giza, Fayoum, Beni Suef, Minya, Assiut, Wadi el-Gadid, Sohag, Qena, Luxor, Aswan, Red Sea, Alexandria, Beheira and Matrouh.

 

 

Candidacy for Egypt's House of Representatives elections were opened from September 17 to September 23.

 

 

During the Senate election held in August 2020, the number of the eligible voters reached 62,940,165 voters.