NEA excludes underperforming supervisors in 2nd voting phase of parliamentary elections

CAIRO – 20 November 2025: Egypt’s NEA affirmed in a press conference, Thursday, prior the beginning of the 2nd phase of parliamentary elections, that anyone found negligent in the first round of elections, whether a polling station head or a candidate, would be excluded from supervising the electoral process.

The NEA also decided to prohibit any electioneering in front of polling stations, as this would invalidate the whole committee's work.

Ahmed Bendary, Director of the Executive Body of the National Elections Authority, affirmed the heads of the sub-committees and general committees adhere to the law and to hand over a copy of the numerical count to any candidate who wishes to do so.

He also explained that it is not permissible to hand the count over to the delegate or to allow him to attend the counting process.

Judge Bendary confirmed that the President’s statement affirms the independence of the National Authority and the separation of powers, and that no details of the elections can be announced except according to the specified timetable.

Egypt’s NEA affirmed that it will not allow anyone to enter the parliament except by the will of the voters.

Judge Bendary noted that NEA held meetings with political parties and instructed all of them to strictly comply with the campaign regulations.

He stressed that all forms of electoral campaigning in front of polling stations are strictly prohibited and that NEA will take all necessary legal measures, including invalidating any sub-committee where such violations occur. 

Bendary affirmed that NEA's decision to annul the results of 19 constituencies in the first phase of the House of Representatives election across seven governorates came after an extensive review of all complaints and appeals submitted, in addition to violations documented by NEA’s specialized committees.

Bendary said the message posted by President Abdel Fattah El Sisi on the matter provided a positive impetus for NEA to take all necessary actions in accordance with the law, noting that the decisions were already scheduled for announcement within the legal timeframe set for the electoral process.

He stressed that it was inconceivable for NEA to reach such decisions within hours of the President’s post, explaining that the annulments followed lengthy examination and impartial investigations, adding that the President’s remarks aligned fully with its findings and decisions.

Bendary reiterated that NEA operates with full independence from all branches of the state and makes its decisions solely in accordance with judicial conscience, free from any pressure or interference, an independence affirmed by the President in his message.

He dismissed as entirely baseless social media claims suggesting presidential directives to annul constituencies in the first phase.

The decision to void the 19 constituencies, he noted, was based on evidence aimed at eliminating any suspicion of procedural irregularities.

He emphasized NEA’s commitment to ensuring the integrity of the parliamentary election citing violations involving breaches of campaign rules, discrepancies in vote tallies between subcommittees and general committees, and failure to deliver official counting records to some candidates or their authorized agents.

Bendary underscored that no candidate would enter parliament without a mandate from voters, describing the annulment decision as an act of transparency consistent with NEA’s approach.

He added that NEA held meetings with representatives of 24 political parties participating in the election to coordinate oversight efforts during the polling days and monitor any potential irregularities.

Bendary noted that although similar coordination was requested from candidates in previous elections, NEA did not receive follow-up reports from party operations rooms.

For the second voting phase, coordination with party operations rooms will be strengthened, and monitoring committees remain ready to receive and verify any complaints.

Bendary stated that political parties competing in the individual-seat system were granted a specific deadline to submit full reports of their campaign expenditures to NEA.

He added that presiding judges of subcommittees in the second phase have been strictly instructed to hand candidates or their official agents copies of the final vote-count records upon request.

He clarified the legal distinction between an “agent” and a “delegate”: only candidates or their official agents may receive counting records, while delegates may observe the poll but are not permitted to attend the counting process.

Bendary also noted ongoing coordination with media outlets to facilitate coverage of polling and counting procedures, expressing readiness to join field visits with journalists.

He urged all stakeholders to strictly adhere to the NEA’s rules, warning that violations would trigger legal action, calling on citizens to participate actively in the second phase of voting.

The second phase includes 73 constituencies and 5,287 subcommittees, with 34.6 million eligible voters. A total of 1,316 candidates are competing for 141 individual seats, in addition to two list-based constituencies. Voting abroad will take place in 139 subcommittees at Egyptian diplomatic missions in 117 countries.