Egypt is preparing for its senate elections amid intense security and health measures, as courts began receiving candidacy applications for the elections, which final results will be announced mid-September.
Election committees of the first instance courts in all governorates posted banners urging applicants to adhere to precautionary measures, such as wearing masks and avoid crowding at the stations to prevent the spread of the COVID-19.
Several Egyptian parties including Nation’s Future (Mostaqbal), Wafd, Republican People's, and Homeland Defenders announced their unified list of candidates to compete for third of the seats allocated to elections according to this mechanism.
The law states that the Senate will include 300 seats, one-third of which will be elected via the individual candidacy system, a third by closed party lists, and a third to be named by the president.
Senate elections are set to take place on 11-12 August, with Egyptians abroad scheduled to cast their ballots on 9-10 August.
Hospitals in 27 Egyptian governorates began receiving candidates and conducting necessary medical tests.
National Elections Authority (NEA) Lasheen Ibrahim said the Senate elections will be fully supervised by judges and the media, and Egyptian and foreign civil society organizations will be permitted to monitor the poll.
Ibrahim also stressed that face masks will be compulsory at polling stations and there will be strict measures for campaigning and voting.
According to Ibrahim, “the number of polling stations will be increased to ensure there is no overcrowding and adequate social distancing and other precautionary measures are observed.”
Last week, an Egyptian governmental committee launched its inventory of the assets of the Senate, which used to be called Shura council, but was canceled after the constitutional amendments seven years ago.
Under the most recent amendments, Shura headquarters will be part of the new parliamentary entity.
