Rules for NGOs to observe 2018 presidential elections

CAIRO – 9 January 2018: The National Electoral Commission (NEC) will allow local, foreign and international civil society organizations to observe the 2018 presidential elections that will be held in March, in accordance with laws and regulations.

Organizations with permits would have the right to observe the candidates’ application procedures, electoral campaigns, polling and calculating results. Foreign organizations should only use the permits to engage in authorized activities.

The organizations’ representatives are prohibited from intervening in the election process, campaigning for any candidates, attempting to influence voters’ behavior, or receiving any gifts, grants or privileges from candidates or their supporters.

Organizations applying for a permit should be working primarily in the fields of election observation, human rights or support for democracy, in addition to enjoying a good reputation of integrity and objectivity. Former experience with observing elections is a must.

The NEC is receiving applications from January 9 to 15. Observers’ registration takes place for three days starting January 15. The observing organizations should immediately report their remarks, if any, to the NEC to check and take action.

Every organization should submit a report concluding what it observed after the election process is over. Observing organizations are prohibited from announcing any results until they are officially announced by the NEC.

The NEC has the right to revoke the permits of any observer or any observing organization at any time in case of breaching the aforementioned rules.

The NEC has the right to invite the chairpersons of any foreign agencies or commissions related to elections, embassies, international and regional unions to observe the 2018 presidential elections.

The NEC announced on Monday the timetable of the 2018 presidential elections. Potential candidates are allowed to submit their applications from January 20 to 29. The final list of the candidates will be announced on February 24.

Voting will take place for three days starting March 26 domestically, while it will begin on March 16 for expats from 9:00 until 21:00 in each country’s local time. The winning candidate will be announced on April 2.

According to Article 140 of the Egyptian Constitution, electoral procedures should begin a minimum of 120 days before the end of the current presidential term, and the president-elect should be announced a minimum of 30 days before the end of the previous president’s term. The current presidential term will end in June 2018.

Electoral procedures consist of receiving and scrutinizing applications and appeals, as well as setting the electoral lists and campaign regulations.

The NEC is an independent institution running all types of elections and referendums in the country, currently chaired by Chancellor Lashin Ibrahim Mohamed, who also serves as vice-president of the Court of Cassation.

President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi is the sixth president of Egypt. He came to office in June 2014 after the revolution of June 30 that toppled former President Mohamed Morsi, who is affiliated with the now-outlawed Muslim Brotherhood.

Egypt’s National Electoral Commission launched an official website for both the parliamentary and presidential elections. The new website aims to publish all the resolutions and recommendations pertaining to the elections, in addition to the voting guides for Egyptians inside and outside Egypt.