Egypt’s United Media Services says will keep equal distance from all presidential election candidates

CAIRO – 29 September 2023: Egypt’s United Media Services (UMS) said it will keep an equal distance from all candidates of the next presidential elections and their electoral campaigns.

In a statement circulated on media on Friday, the UMS said all the media platforms, including TV channels, news websites and newspapers, are keen to maintain neutrality in covering the elections.

The UMS stressed its adherence to the constitution and laws in this regard as well as the codes of the Supreme Press Council and other press and media codes regulating the coverage of the electoral process.

Egypt Today has obtained a copy of the UMS statement, reading as follows:

After the official announcement of the start of the constitutional process and the presidential elections, Egypt’s important event determining the future of Egyptians and shaping the steps and future path of our country, the United Media Services reaffirms the following:

- The UMS, through all its channels, newspapers, websites, and affiliated media outlets, will maintain an unbiased stance towards all candidates and their campaigns. This comes in compliance with the constitution, laws, the codes of the Supreme Press Council and the media and journalistic code of honors regulating election coverage.

- The UMS emphasizes the readiness of all its publications to provide extensive coverage of this significant event in Egypt, starting from the National Election Authority (NEA) conference and the announcement of the electoral timeline. This also includes the periods of issuing endorsements, opening nomination door, holding elections, sorting votes and declaring the winner. This coverage will be made by a team of trained journalists and media professionals, utilizing the latest technology and advanced tools possessed by the company to fulfill the mission.

- Finally, the statement of the UMS clarifies its position regarding all actual candidates after the process of opening the door for candidacy. The company welcomes communication with all candidate campaigns within the framework of agreed-upon professional rules and regulations.

2024 Presidential Elections

Egyptians will cast their votes in the 2024 Presidential Elections on 10-12 December 2023 locally, while eligible voters living abroad will vote on 1-3 December.

Several leading figures from renowned political parties have announced plans to run for elections, including Abdel-Sanad Yamama, head of El-Wafd Party and Hazem Omar, head of the People’s Republican Party.

Hazem Omar has resigned from the Senate to run for president.

Also, Head of the opposition Egyptian Social Democratic Party Farid Zahran and Head of Egypt’s liberal Constitution Party (Al-Dostour) Gameela Ismail announced readiness to run in the elections.

Presidential candidates will submit their nominations in the 10-day period starting 5 October and names of the final candidates and their electoral symbols will be officially announced on 9 November.

Check the full timetable of the 2024 Presidential Elections from here.