In the presence of representatives of 3 international organizations, 9 national experts

The joint international - local mission discusses the freedom and integrity of the Egyptian parliamentary elections

The international mission expresses its optimism about the availability of the political will to manage a free and fair electoral process

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Within the framework of its follow-up to the Egyptian parliamentary elections, the joint international mission to follow up on the parliamentary elections “Egypt 2015” held an expanded workshop on Wednesday, September 16, 2015 under the title “Freedom and integrity of the Egyptian parliamentary elections between national legislation and international principles”

The workshop began with a press conference during which the details of the mission, which is the largest in the history of election follow-up processes in the Arab region, were announced. The mission includes two international non-governmental organizations, namely the International Network for Rights and Development (GNRD) in Norway and the International Institute for Peace, Justice and Human Rights IIPJHR in Geneva, and a regional governmental organization, namely The Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), in addition to an Egyptian organization, the Maat Foundation for Peace, Development and Human Rights (MAAT). 500 observers and international experts participate in the mission's work, 2015 local observers.

  It may occur Mr. Ayman Aqeel The head of the Maat Foundation and the local coordinator of the mission at the beginning of the conference expressed the mission's conviction in the sincerity of the Egyptian state’s orientation towards running a free and fair electoral process, noting that the mission is following the elections out of support for the Egyptian people in achieving the entitlements of the future map that the national forces agreed upon after the June 30 revolution, and affirmed Aqeel believes that the next Egyptian parliament awaits an important role in the war that Egypt is currently waging against its most dangerous enemies, which are corruption and terrorism.

 She then spoke Mrs. / Anna Dotova GNRD Officer, Member of Mission, W.Mr. Daniel Georgovsky A representative of the International Institute for Peace, Justice and Human Rights IIPJHR and a member of the mission, as they emphasized the mission’s position in support of the Egyptian people, and its interest in the exit of the upcoming electoral process in line with the internationally recognized principles of free and fair elections, praising what was achieved during the referendum on the Egyptian constitution in January 2014, and then the presidential elections that took place. Egypt witnessed it in May of the same year. The two speakers reviewed their joint activities to follow up the elections in more than one country, and presented the international experiences and the accumulated expertise of the mission as a result of their follow-up to the elections in more than one country.

Ms. Odette Mutanguha, actor, also spoke  The Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), which announced the organization’s pride in following the Egyptian parliamentary elections, affirming that the regional organization received an invitation from the Egyptian state to follow up on the elections. Mutangoha indicated that the economic development that the organization seeks does not take place without a democratic climate.

Immediately after the press conference, two working sessions were held to discuss the issues of freedom and integrity of the Egyptian elections, with the participation of a large group of national experts, who are,Major General / raised shirts Advisor to the Prime Minister for Elections Affairs, Prof. Dr. Nabil Helmy   Professor of International Law, former Dean of the Faculty of Law at Zagazig University, Professor Dr. Amr Hashem Rabie  Vice President of Al-Ahram Center for Political and Strategic Studies, Professor / Yasser Abdel Aziz  Media expert and member of the National Council for Human Rights, Ms. Farida Al-Naqqash  Press writer, Prof. Dr. / Nourhan Al-Sheikh  Professor of political science at Cairo University Prof. Dr. Amani Masoud  Professor of political science at Cairo University Dr. Yousry El-Azbawi Expert at Al-Ahram Center for Political and Strategic Studies, W.Mrs. Heba Al-Bashbishi  Political researcher.

The experts discussed the availability of conditions for the freedom and integrity of the upcoming parliamentary elections in light of recognized international principles, as most experts emphasized that these conditions were met to the extent that permits the conduct of a free and fair electoral process to a large extent. The experts pointed out that the main controversial issues, such as the division of districts, for example were based on form. Fundamental to the relevant international standards, as well as the independence of the judicial committee overseeing the entire electoral process, which is a central guarantee of its integrity. Participants agreed that the ball is now in the voters ’court themselves to choose between lists and individual candidates.

The mission confirms that, in light of the workshop discussions, and based on what the mission has monitored over the past eight months, it is highly optimistic that the Egyptian parliamentary elections, which started their first stages in early September, will be committed to the greatest extent possible with the international principles of free and fair elections.

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