Egypt: About 68 million citizens eligible to vote in Senate election

CAIRO – 3 July 2025: Approximately 68 million citizens are eligible to vote in the Senate elections, due to convene on August 4 and 5, 2025, announced the National Elections Authority (NEA) on Thursday.

The NEA announced the official closure of the voter database for the upcoming Senate elections. As of July 1, no changes can be made to the voter roll, except in two specific cases; the implementation of a final court ruling to add or remove a person, or the removal of deceased individuals’ names.

The NEA confirmed that approximately 68 million citizens are eligible to vote in the elections—an increase of about one million voters compared to the last presidential election, when the voter base exceeded 67 million.

The closure of the voter database is in line with Article 16 of Law No. 45 of 2014, regulating the exercise of political rights. The law clearly states:

No amendment may be made to the voter database after voters have been called to the election or referendum. However, amendments may be made to the database if this is to implement an enforceable court ruling or to remove the names of deceased persons, the NEA added.

Law No. 45 of 2014 also outlines the categories of individuals who are either temporarily or permanently barred from voting in Senate and House of Representatives elections. These include:

1. Minors: Individuals under 18 years of age.
2. Interdicted persons: Those under legal incompetent or ones placed under guardianship during the interdiction period.
3. Individuals with mental disorders: Those legally declared mentally unfit during the period of interdiction.
4. Convicted criminals: Individuals issued a final judgment for a criminal offense.
5. Political corruption: Individuals convicted of crimes that undermine political life.
6. Dismissed public officials: Persons dismissed from public service or government posts.
7. Ethical violations: Individuals sentenced by a court of ethics to confiscation of assets.

The law further clarifies that individuals falling under categories 4–7 are barred from voting for five years from the date of the final court judgment. This ban is lifted upon rehabilitation or a judicial suspension of the sentence.

On July 1, 2025, the National Elections Authority urged all eligible Egyptian citizens—both at home and abroad—to participate actively in the Senate elections. The authority reiterated its commitment to ensuring a transparent, inclusive, and lawful electoral process.