egypt-final-presidential-elections-2012

The Carter Center
Presidential Election in Egypt
context of a compulsory voting system, the importance
of such systems is heightened and demands
the highest standards of accuracy, transparency,
and public confidence. As such, The Carter
Center offers the following recommendations:
• Exhibit a provisional voters’ list at the community
level to allow for voters to scrutinize and
challenge the lists as necessary, ensuring the
maximum possible protection of the right of
universal suffrage, a fundamental national and
international obligation.
• Take proactive steps to ensure the full enfranchisement
of eligible citizens, such as those who
are not currently in the national identity database
(especially including the disproportionate
number of women), citizens who turn 18 years of
age after the closing of the voters’ list and before
election day, citizens who have been disenfranchised
due to a declaration of bankruptcy, and
recently naturalized citizens. A supplementary
registration process might be a useful means
to ensure the full enfranchisement of Egypt’s
citizens who may not be in the national identity
database or in possession of the national identity
card.
• Finalize the voters’ list well in advance of election
day, which will help address any concerns
or problems caused by the late dissemination of
supplementary lists.
• Carry out voter education about registration
processes to inform the public of their opportunity
to participate in the process.
While it is not an explicit obligation in international
law, releasing copies of the voters’
lists to candidates and parties is a widely used
international best practice that promotes greater
confidence in the voter registration process. In
addition, The Carter Center recommends that
the final voters’ lists should be subject to public
review as a means of ensuring transparency in the
election process and allaying concerns about the
accuracy of the list.
10. Ensure that election officials and key stakeholders
are adequately trained to consistently implement
all aspects of electoral law and procedure.
The Carter Center witnesses noted some election
day procedures that were inconsistently applied
during both rounds of the presidential election.
The Center recommends that EMB officials
develop effective methods to ensure that training
is comprehensive, inclusive, and efficient for
officials at all levels of election administration,
consistent with international good practice. To
help ensure consistency of practice, it is essential
that election officials and other key stakeholders
be adequately trained on all aspects of a clear
and comprehensive set of electoral laws and
regulations. Clear procedures should include the
following issues, where Carter Center witnesses
noted inconsistencies during the elections:
Assistance to illiterate voters: Carter Center
witnesses reported inconsistencies regarding
whether assistance was provided to illiterate voters
and in the degree of assistance that was provided.
Given Egypt’s high illiteracy rate, The Carter
Center recommends that Egyptian legislators
enact legal provisions authorizing the assistance
of illiterate voters by election officials that are
similar to legal provisions governing the assistance
of disabled or visually impaired voters. Election
officials should ensure that all election personnel
and other stakeholders are trained on how to
correctly assist illiterate voters who may require
assistance.
Inking of fingers: Carter Center witnesses noted
multiple instances where voters’ fingers were
not checked for ink before voting. If inking is to
remain a part of the voting process, EMB officials
should ensure that all election officials and other
stakeholders are well-trained on the existing law
regarding the proper inking of fingers, including
for voters who wear gloves.
Poll opening: Carter Center witnesses observed
that in many instances polling stations did not
open until after the legally mandated starting time
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