Egypt’s Presidential Elections: Process, Significance and Challenges Ahead Geneva, 16 June 2014 – At a side event at the 26th session of the UN Human Rights Council at UNOG, the Global Network for Rights and Development (GNRD) and the International Institute for Peace, Justice and Human Rights (IIPJHR) have released more detailed findings of their joint observation mission to the Presidential Elections in Egypt – 2014, while the Egyptian experts have outlined their plans and hopes for the country’s prosperous future. The event began with a video presentation from Mrs. Dalia Youssef, the Vice-President of the Risk Free Management Company and member of the think-tank the Egyptian Council for Foreign Affairs, outlining the journey Egypt had made from the revolution in January 2011 to the election of President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi in May this year. Mrs. Youssef stated in her inspiring speech that facing impossible challenges in their way to development millions of Egyptians had responded with a statement of belief: “Yes, We Can”. She said Egyptians wanted to be able to say and write what they thought without fear or intimidation, and she hoped the whole country would now be able to move forward in a spirit of reconciliation. The Chief Executive Manager of the GNRD, Ms. Evgenia Kondrakhina presented the general comments, recommendations and statistics on the Joint GNRD, IIPJHR and their local partner Egyptian NGO Maat Foundation for Peace, Development and Human Rights (MAAT) observation mission to the Presidential Elections of May 2014. She stated that the procedure of the election in the observed polling stations had been conducted smoothly with only minor inaccuracies to be addressed for future votes. These included restricting campaign activities and materials at polling stations in line with electoral rules, ensuring the complete secrecy of the polling booths in all locations and strengthening voter education, particularly among illiterate voters. Ms. Kondrakhina said the observers witnessed high voter turnout on the first day of the election, with lower levels on the second and third days. Observers had noticed strong participation among women and the elderly, with young people appearing less enthusiastic. More than 2,600 observers from the GNRD, IIPJHR and MAAT observed around 75% of polling stations in 25 governorates of Egypt. Speaking at the event, Mr. Jean-François Fechino, the director of the IIPJHR, shared that he together with his team were proud to have participated in the observation of the elections. He gave a brilliant explanation on the rights and objectives of the observers and expressed his hope that the Joint mission had contributed to Egypt’s quest for freedom and democracy. Dr. Ahmed Abdel Halim, a member of the Egyptian Council for Foreign Affairs and Chairman of the National Security Committee at the non-governmental organization, People and Police for Egypt, announced that the Presidential elections completed the second out of three phases of Egypt’s road-map to the basis establishment for democracy. The election followed the referendum on the Egyptian Constitution held in January this year and would be completed by parliamentary elections in the autumn. Dr. Halim said the constitution had established a consensus among the Egyptian people and protected minorities, including religious ones such as the Christian Copts, as well as guaranteeing respect for women’s human rights. He also highlighted the contribution of the country’s security personnel in ensuring that the electoral process had played out without major incident. The event followed with questions and comments from the audience. gnrd.net/seemore.php?id=371
Posted on: Mon, 16 Jun 2014 15:43:33 +0000