International media: Egypt’s House elections held amid high national spirit

CAIRO – 10 November 2025: The first phase of the 2025 House of Representatives elections, which began on Monday, November 10, has attracted significant international media attention, said the State Information Service (SIS) in a statement.

The SIS attributed this to the active presence of accredited correspondents in Egypt who have obtained media permits to cover the elections. These correspondents represent approximately 86 international media outlets, including news agencies, newspapers, online news platforms, and television channels from around the world, in addition to numerous other Arab and international media outlets monitoring and reporting on the elections.

Diaa Rashwan, head of the State Information Service (SIS), stated that the Service, through its Foreign Press Center, closely monitored the work of international correspondents covering the electoral process in the governorates of the first phase. 

The SIS provided all necessary facilities and promptly addressed any feedback or challenges raised by the correspondents. Most requests from journalists concerned covering and filming inside polling stations, which were resolved through coordination with the National Elections Authority (NEA) and the presiding judges of polling committees. While media coverage inside polling stations was permitted, the presiding judge retained discretion based on crowding and voter turnout.

Rashwan noted that the SIS’s media monitoring, conducted via a dedicated operations room for the House elections, confirmed the strong international interest in the process. This interest highlighted the safeguards established by the NEA to ensure a transparent and dispute-free election, with judicial oversight and monitoring by local and international civil society organizations emphasized as key strengths. The coverage also clarified the role of the House of Representatives in Egypt’s political and parliamentary life.

The SIS monitored dozens of media reports on the elections from outlets across the Americas, Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Arab world, published in multiple languages including Arabic, English, Italian, Spanish, French, Russian, German, Turkish, Persian, Chinese, Hindi, Hebrew, Korean, and Japanese. International coverage utilized a range of journalistic formats, including news bulletins, television reports, and newspaper articles.

According to Rashwan, the international media largely adopted a neutral, news-oriented approach, highlighting the secure and stable environment of the elections and the participation of state institutions in facilitating voters. Reports focused on electoral procedures, the candidates, competing lists, and the overall context, with limited commentary on debates over the list system, whether closed or proportional, while noting changes in the party landscape compared to previous elections.

Several outlets emphasized that these elections mark a pivotal political moment for Egypt, as the new House of Representatives will address critical national issues in the coming period. The next parliament faces challenges such as enhancing transparency, improving government oversight mechanisms, and streamlining economic and administrative legislation to support investment and local production. The parliament is also expected to contribute to national dialogue and ensure the effective implementation of legislative outcomes, thereby promoting political participation and public trust. These elections come at a time of significant domestic development and regional and international transformation, placing heightened legislative, oversight, and political responsibilities on the incoming parliament.

International media, particularly from the Arab world, also highlighted that the elections occur amid a sense of national pride, following the opening of the Grand Egyptian Museum, an event attended by a large international audience and widely covered by global media. This comes alongside Egypt’s successful hosting of two major international events in less than a month: the Grand Egyptian Museum inauguration and the Sharm El-Sheikh Peace Summit.

The strong turnout of Egyptian expatriates was also noted, reflecting their belief in the importance of maintaining Egypt’s security and stability. Overseas voting was conducted in 139 polling stations at embassies and consulates across 117 countries, with high participation from Egyptians in Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Kuwait, and other Arab and European nations, surpassing the turnout in the Senate elections held last August.

International coverage also highlighted the intense competition between party lists and individual candidates. Candidates are engaged in a fierce contest within their constituencies, competing against both party-list and independent candidates.